Great Grey Shrike

It was off to Stanhope this morning for the Great Grey Shrike. It was windy in the quarry, which kept the Shrike down. Although it showed well twigs nearly always hid it. It was very approachable so this is the closest I have ever been to a Great Grey Shrike.

 

Peregrine’s

Just a few, well quite a few really, of a pair of Peregrine in their usual spot. I have had a couple of e-mails recently regarding the female (the one with the red ring “LL” on her leg) she was ringed in Norwich in 2012 and called Bobber. Its nice to see she is doing well up North.

Good to meet up with Alan, who, like me had come to see these cracking birds because the weather man had said we were going to have blue sky, well that did not happen while I was there.

As I got out of the car at home another cracking bird flew over the garden, a Red Kite. Despite the lack of blue sky not a bad morning out.

Bobber

One for Alan

Red Kite

Dipper Day

I caught up with the Dippers again yesterday. The pair were flying up and down the burn but neither of them seemed to be gathering nesting material, hopefully that will start soon. At least two pairs of Grey Wagtail were on the burn and there were loads of Wrens all singing or calling.

Blinking Dipper

Posing Dipper

Fly Catching Diper

Singing Wren

Grey Wagtail

 

Smile

I know that loads of others will have images of the eclipse but here is my effort. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch it in its entirety as I was at work but I am grateful to have been able to see it at all.
 

 

L & SEO

Got it last night, briefly, it was getting dark but still got it, a Long-eared Owl. And finally got blue (again briefly) skies for the Short-eared Owl. Oh and a Brown Hare put in a brief appearance.

Short-eared Owl

Long-eared Owl

Brown Hare

 

Little Owls

I caught up with the Little Owls today after failing last time. When I first saw the Owls, they were behind some wooden laths. I took a few shots then I remembered what camera club judges always say “if only you had stepped to the left or right you would probably have a better shot” so I stepped to the right and got one of the Owls in the open they both then disappeared. While waiting for the Owls to reappear a Weasel ran across the road, (I only managed one-half decent shot) unfortunately, the Owls did not reappear.

Little Owls

Weasel

 

Even More SEO

I cannot resist going back for more of these cracking Short-eared Owls (hopefully I will get a blue sky one night). Three were out last night putting on a great show.

Fly by

More aerial acrobatics

Going in for the kill

Unfortunately, it did not catch anything