Friday 6 April 2012

Early morning Owl




This Short-eared Owl was present at dawn on the Nene Washes the other day. He was perched surveying the area and me before taking off into the sunrise.

An owl species that you are just as likely to see in daylight as your are during the hours of dawn and dusk. These birds have bred in the area before, but are more often seen during the winter months when they come down from their Highland fastness or from northern Europe to the more mild climes of the south half of Britain. This year has been a good year for wintering SEO`s, as they are known (saves having to write their full name!) for the whole of the south of the U.K. with large numbers of these birds present, indeed there have been regular double figure counts of these birds present on the Nene Washes. The large numbers present have been attributed to very good levels of their favourite prey, the lemming (in Europe), which has led to an extremely good breeding season and survival rate of the young.

Long may it continue.

30 comments:

  1. Same species as me again (last post) I believe!
    Great atmospheric images John.
    We have a few locally in North Yorkshire so not all confined to the South. Great birds.

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    1. Hi Mike,
      Thank you. Soon, they will be moving back up north, so we will lose them until the autumn.
      J

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  2. My thought also John. I have had an excellent 3 months with them in Sussex.

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    1. Hi Mike,
      It certainly has been a good few months with them!
      J

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  3. Lovely images John..
    I love my early commute into Manchester and often wish I had my camera with me.
    I always carry my point and shoot OK for sunrises but not for wildlife.
    Enjoy the weekend.

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    1. Hi Andrew,
      Thank you. Sometimes a `point ans=d shoot` is all you need. ;)
      J

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  4. Great photos! Love the dawn sky colors! Must be so nice to get to see these lovely owls frequently!

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    1. Hi Tammy,
      Thank you. Yes, a great bird to see regularly during the winter months.
      J

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  5. Do we have lemmings in the UK. I do like a twist of lemming in a cocktail.
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Unfortunately, no Bazza, we don`t have lemmings here, we have to import them for your cocktails, think of the air miles! ;)
      J

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  6. Beautiful pictures, that early light is extraordinary.

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  7. Just goes to show that you don't need to show every detail in a photo to get a great shot. These capture that wonderful moment when you notice a silhouette and realise that it's something interesting. A little early morning magic.

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    1. Hi John,
      Thank you. Yes, when I saw the dark mass in front of me, I wasn`t quite sure what it was, but I am glad I took the time to `get` it through my scope!
      J

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  8. Wow John, these are so beautiful!!!

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    1. Hi Mary,
      Thank you, too kind and thank you for your `Follow`
      J

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  9. Wonderful catch! I remember reading about a large influx of Snowy Owls in certain parts of the US this winter. They were even spotted in New York City. Beautiful photos of one here: http://www.sheepsheadbites.com/2011/11/amazing-winged-wonder-spotted-near-the-narrows/

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    1. Hi Susan,
      Thank you. Now that is an owl that I would love to see, a Snowy, seen them in captivity, but never in the wild. I will check out your link, most definitely!
      J

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  10. Oh dear, just like the Waxwings last Winter, I must be one of the only people not to see one of these lovely birds....actually I would be happy with any owl!

    These are lovely and very atmospheric photos John.

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    1. Hi Jan,
      Thank you. Never mind, I am sure you will see one. Actually most owls are pretty thin on the ground at the moment, I have seen more SEO`s this year than Barn Owls.
      J

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  11. Very nice shot's, love the ambiance ;)

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  12. Hi there - what a great set of pictures - they have real atmosphere. Not every bird shot has to look like it could go in a field guide does it?

    We dont really have any owls that behave like Shorties here, which is a shame.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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    1. Hi Stewart,
      Thank you. Ah, but you do have some fantastic birds there, which I am sure makes up for it!
      J

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  13. These are beautiful photos, John. Owls are so amazing to look at, and this one is no exception! I had an exciting encounter two years ago with a barred owl that was sitting on a branch above the bike path at dusk. I was mesmerized, and found it difficult to pull away. But, at last had to reluctantly go since it had no intention of leaving.

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  14. Hi Rebecca,
    Thank you, too kind. Owls are certainly mesmerizing birds, the way they fix you with that glare! Just imagine how a vole feels!
    J

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  15. Wonderful! Thanks for posting

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    1. Thanks Martin! and Thanks for visiting.
      J

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