Owls at Welney

10th December 2022

I have been to Welney several times over the years but have seen very few owls. I have seen the occasional Barn Owl hunting around the main hide late afternoon, and have only seen Short-eared Owls on the far side of the main lagoon hunting along the river wall. But this year up to five Shorties have been hunting over Lady Fen so time for a visit.

Unusually the Short-eared Owls have been hunting up to 11.00am in the morning and then from 2pm onwards, but let's start with an unexpected performance from one of the Barn Owls which roosts close to the visitor centre. It came out a bit late in the day which gives it that glow of the Golden Hour.

But then for the main act, the Short-eared Owls. Up to five have been reported but today I only saw three in the air at the same time. They are fairly wide-ranging but sometimes come quite close.

And in for the kil!!!

It is a well known fact that Shorties do not tolerate intruders and here is one seeing off a female Marsh Harrier.

They don't even like other Shorties which is a bit odd when there are hundreds of acres of fenland to share. Here is a sequence of two having a dogfight.

Well, what a fantastic experience and one thing I am sure of is I'll be back!!!