The Barn Owl is thought of by many to be Britains' favourite bird, with the heart shaped face, it is certainly endearing to us. I love seeing this bird, not very easy to do any more with their population in freefall and after the disastrous 'summer' that we had last year leading to poor breeding, but at a site not far from my house in south Lincolnshire sightings are reliably had.
On the last occasion I noted at least five individuals, differing by colouration and also handy leg rings enabling me to tell that I had a different bird in my binoculars. The photos below show three individuals and also a short video of one of these hunting.
Always fascinating to visit your thoughtful site. And to see the wonders of the Barn Owl, has been a positive distraction. I'm grateful for this. Thank you, my friend.
Hi John...He is just stunning,and I am so envious of the fact that you see it often ; ) I never get to see and Owl of any kind !! Liked seeing the Owl in action and your photos are great!! Grace
How wonderful. The owls hold a special place for most people and this lot are rather gorgeous. I have noticed our local tawnys are quieter this year, have wondered if they are suffering the same way.
WOW! I'm on my iPad and when enlarged your photos fill the entire screen and the first in particular is absolutely stunning John!!! How lucky you are to get such good views. I look in all the likely places here especially around old barns etc. but am never lucky with even a glimpse. I loved the video too, absolutely fascinating to see the careful hunting...you really wouldn't want to be a little creature cowering in the grass!
Thanks Jan, You are too kind! The first shot was by luck, I had seen the bird in the distance and pulled over in the van to see if it would come nearer, it just happened to perch on that post not 30 feet away! Then a Short-eared Owl flew by, very lucky! :) J
Hi John, Thank you. The area in question for my photos is on a road, but luckily it isn't too busy, having said that, you still have to be wary when pulling over! J
Super images John.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy!
DeleteJ
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteAlways fascinating to visit your thoughtful site. And to see the wonders of the Barn Owl, has been a positive distraction. I'm grateful for this. Thank you, my friend.
Gary
Thank you Gary,
DeleteI am glad that I helped in a small way.
J
Hi John...He is just stunning,and I am so envious of the fact that you see it often ; )
ReplyDeleteI never get to see and Owl of any kind !!
Liked seeing the Owl in action and your photos are great!!
Grace
Hi Grace,
DeleteThank you. Yes, I am lucky in the fact that these birds are pretty reliable in my neck of the woods.
J
How wonderful. The owls hold a special place for most people and this lot are rather gorgeous. I have noticed our local tawnys are quieter this year, have wondered if they are suffering the same way.
ReplyDeleteHi Charlotte,
DeleteThank you. I am pretty sure all owls have suffered with the 'lovely' weather that we had last year and are continuing to have now!
J
Great shots of a stunning bird John. I only ever manage fleeting glimpses of them usually.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith,
DeleteThey are sometimes hard to spot, but a fleeting glimpse is better than no glimpse at all.
J
WOW! I'm on my iPad and when enlarged your photos fill the entire screen and the first in particular is absolutely stunning John!!! How lucky you are to get such good views. I look in all the likely places here especially around old barns etc. but am never lucky with even a glimpse. I loved the video too, absolutely fascinating to see the careful hunting...you really wouldn't want to be a little creature cowering in the grass!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan,
DeleteYou are too kind! The first shot was by luck, I had seen the bird in the distance and pulled over in the van to see if it would come nearer, it just happened to perch on that post not 30 feet away! Then a Short-eared Owl flew by, very lucky! :)
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteThank you. The area in question for my photos is on a road, but luckily it isn't too busy, having said that, you still have to be wary when pulling over!
J
Fantastic images John... I haven't seen one for years.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, I suppose I am lucky in that I see at least one most years.
DeleteJ