Short-eared owl

Yesterday I went to the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire to photograph a short-eared owl. I managed to see it hunting. After coming home and reading up about them I now know that short-eared owls are usually seen hunting during the day. They are medium size birds with speckled brown bodies, pale under-wings and yellow eyes. Here are my shots: 

I was also pleased to photograph this red kite.

Bird ringing

Today I went to Woolley Firs (BBOWT) near Maidehead to watch the Runnymede Ringing Group in action.  Carl Hunter Roach explained the process.  I was very fortunate to get to hold and release a blue tit.  The wonderful site with an arboretum and surrounding fields is home to many species of birds.  During the ringing session I saw dunnock, coal tit, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit and long tailed tits.  We could hear the call of a greater spotted woodpecker and there was a mistle thrush high up in the trees.  Next we went on a walk with Dan (of BBOWT) and Brian, a local bird expert.  Sightings included buzzards, lapwings, redkites, goldfinch, redwing and greenfinch.  We also heard sky larks.  It was a great way to spend a morning!

Back to see the starlings at Otmoor

After Christmas I returned to Otmoor to see the starling murmuration a second time.  There were more starlings but their display was not quite so impressive.  They went down into the reeds quicker.  I also saw a marsh harrier. Thanks to Findlay Wilde and Toby Carter for helping me identify it.

Redwing

Female reed buntings

Marsh harrier

Jays in my garden

Happy 2015 everyone.


Recently I have had a pair of jays visiting my garden daily. This is a surprise as I've never seen them here in other years.  They are coming to get the peanuts I am leaving out near the house.  I am enjoying using my new telephoto lens to photograph them from my patio doors.  Over the last week they have got much more used to me moving around in the house and are less spooked.  They are getting through lots and lots of peanuts and I wonder if they are collecting them to store somewhere else.  I have had lots of birds visiting my garden because it is harder to find food at this time of year.

Wren