After going through the photos from yesterday once more, just hoping for a slightly better shot, I noticed this one that I had taken in which both Long-eared Owls are visible (sort of!).
Just to give you a better idea of what Chris and I were faced with in order to see these two owls I am showing you a photo of the island on which the owls are roosting.
This was taken from the hide and gives you an idea of the distance and foliage involved. If you click on the above image you will possibly be able to see a white or pale piece of wood sticking out of the water on the right hand side of the left island, go upwards and to the left at about a 45 degree angle and that is where the birds are roosting. You will also see from the clicked on image an Osprey platform, complete with ready built nest, built in the hope that an Osprey will nest. Personally, I think this may prove in vain, but I would love to be proven wrong.
Heres hoping...
ReplyDeleteYes, cross fingers and toes Andrew!
DeleteJ
Whats this John a spot of one-upmanship. Some of us have never seen one.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mike, but it isn't, honestly.
DeleteJ
Ospreys like ready-built nests John. It is the way in which ospreys have been encouraged to breed in other parts of the country. I am arranging such a site in Sussex as we are on the migratory route and often see them passing. Roy Dennis of the Highland Foundation told me to paint a white circle round the nest so it can be seen from a great height. I wish you the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, who are responsible for the site are hoping that an Osprey from near by Rutland Water will find it attractive. There are often birds that pass through and spend a few days fishing in the surrounding area before moving on to or from Rutland, so you never know!
DeleteJ
You did really well to spot those Owls John.
ReplyDeleteAnd yea, I can see the second. lol
Hope the Ospreys do decide to nest there.
Thanks Keith! It helped in knowing that they were somewhere there, although they still took a bit of finding!
DeleteAs I said above, keep everything crossed!
J
You did very well just finding them John. Amazing really. I didn't realise they were that secretive during the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy! Sometimes you can walk right by them and unless you know that they are there, you will never see them.
DeleteJ
Hi John, I've only just caught up with the previous post but I agree they are much easier to spot in this one. Very well done on picking them out from such a distance and on seeing them at all...I never have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan,
DeleteIt is lucky that this site is a known roost spot for them, so there are always pairs of eyes on the lookout!
J
Hi John. That first picture could be used by opticians as an eyesight test!
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza,
DeleteIt would make eye-tests a lot less tedious for me!
J
Goodness me, that really is some long distance spotting. Hope you get lucky with the Ospreys.
ReplyDeleteLong distance is one word for it John!
DeleteWe often get Ospreys in our area because of the close proximity to Rutland Water, so you never know.
J