I had a very narrow window of opportunity yesterday, narrow for 2 reasons. One, the forecast was for sunny spells up until lunchtime and two, I had to take my mum to the eye hospital in the afternoon.
I got to my chosen spot pretty early and the first thing I saw was a buzzard then a barn owl with a vole-signs were good!
I got myself set up and waited, firstly a sparrowhawk flew accross apparently oblivious to my presence.
Then a distant marsh harrier quickly followed by a merlin-the raptor count was increasing rapidly!
I thought that given the deluge of rain the day before, the birds would be keen to feed up, however despite getting off to a good start, things were quite often quiet for long periods.
A couple of kestrels were out feeding and had the odd tussle with the buzzard.
the sparrowhawk shot back even closer giving a nice opportunity for a flight shot.
Eventually the hen harriers began hunting. Mostly distant but they came closer on a couple of occasions.
A great white egret flew out towards the Humber and there was a few stonechats still surviving.
A solitary short-eared owl made an all to brief appearance before it was time to go.
The trip to hospital didn’t go without a highlight-9 waxwings feeding on rowans on the approach road as I was stuck in traffic-not a bad day all-in-all.
Until next time.
