We were going…

 …my wife and I, to visit three hides, Clara Vale, Thornley Woods and Far Pastures but due to roadworks we only visited two Clara and Shibdon Ponds. After visiting Clara, we had a canny bacon sandwich at Bradley Gardens so we also had a look at the pond while we were there.

Long-tailed Tit at Clara Vale.

Reed Bunting.

Coot on the pond at Bradley Gardens.

Mute Swan again at Bradley.

Herring Gull at Shibdon Ponds.

Black-headed Gull.

A distant Sparrowhawk.

They always fly off in the wrong direction.

A very distant Pochard.

Better light?

  I saw the Red Kite and the Ladybirds on the morning of the 30^th later that same day I went looking for Barn Owls. The early afternoon light was beautiful but whether it was better for photographing Barn Owls remains to be seen. Getting the correct exposure can be tricky on a nearly all white bird (however photoshop isn’t too bad). I now know I have seen at least three Barn Owls in that area which, fingers crossed, might bode well for a great breeding season.

This very obliging male Stonechat kept me entertained while I was waiting for the Barn Owl.

One of two Barn Owls seen out hunting.

A second Barn Owl which came out later in the afternoon.

An out of focus image of Brown Hares boxing. It’s the first time I have caught this on camera so I’ll have it until I can get a better image.

I stayed…

 …local a couple of days ago and came across a Red Kite and some Ladybirds.

Red Kite enjoying the early morning sun.

The only Harlequin Ladybird I found.

However, there were quite a few Orange Ladybirds huddled together.

I also came across this small, what I assume is, a plant bug of some description.