Kestrel

 Toward the end of last month at Burdon Moor I managed to catch a female Kestrel that had just caught a Vole and was flying off with it.

Female Kestrel with a bite of bait.

Male Kestrel sitting in a bush.

Four Raptor Afternoon…

 …a couple of days ago with Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Kestrel and Buzzard all seen. The Short-eared Owl came in from very high up from the north east where it was being harassed by a Rook. It eventually landed on a fence post and I managed to get a few shots before it dropped from the post into the field and I didn’t see it again (I think it was spotted by someone else later). The Barn Owl showed up just as the light was going however the Kestrel put on a great show the whole time we were there.

Short-eared Owl.

Barn Owl.

Kestrel.

Buzzard.

Desert Wheatear

A week ago, we went to Whitburn for the Desert Wheatear and it did not disappoint. At times it came so close to one of the photographers (who was lying on the beach) I thought it was going to land on his lens. What a cracking little bird. 

Desert Wheatear.

Turnstone…

…doing what Turnstones do.

Gull surfing the waves.