The Barn Owl Versus The Kestrel. Place Your Bets.

30th January 2023

The quarry today was hopefully a Hen Harrier and some owls so we started off by heading out to Caroline's Hide where we had seen a Hen Harrier on our last visit. Fairly quiet on the way as far as wildfowl was concerned but plenty of Meadow Pipits and Sky larks, with the larks being in full song. The Meadow Pipits were a bit of a challenge to photograph, mainly keeping to the long grass, but one did pose in the sun on a fence post.

Sky Larks are more likely to be in the open......................

...........................but today I thought I would try my luck at some flight shots. This is not as easy as it sounds because not only do you have to get the position of the sun right, but also the wind as that dictates the way they face when hovering.

There were some Golden Plover present today, not the usual massive flocks but a lot more smaller well-dispersed flocks. Unfortunately there was no sign of the ring-tail harrier at the hide and after an hour just a single distant male Marsh Harrier, so time to get back into position for some Short-eared Owls.

On the way back to the car park a male Kestrel was perched on a post. I was very impressed that the RSPB had provided posts with arrows to point out where the Kestrels are!!!

Further along a female Kestrel was also sitting on a post allowing a number of shots to be taken.

Then she took off allowing some nice close-up flight shots.

Now in position scanning the area for a Short-eared Owl when the local ringed Barn Owl appeared at about 2.30pm, and not only close but in brilliant sunshine. Why can't it always be like this?

It then obviously heard something as it hovered, gradually losing height.

Love the way they dangle their legs.

It then went into a dive with its eyes fixed on a small area of ground below it.

And finally in for the kill.

When the owl emerged it was attacked by the female Kestrel which grabbed its leg and a tussle ensued. The owl was not carrying any prey, so this was just a matter of "get orf my land"!!!!

The fight was getting even more vicious with the much smaller Kestrel very much in control, which is a bit of a surprise when you consider the size of the owl's talons.

The Kestrel eventually wrestled the owl to the ground and after a rather worrying silence of about 30 seconds rose into the air leaving the owl behind. After another 30 seconds the owl took to the air and flew off apparently none the worse for wear.

Never under-estimate a Kestrel. This is the first time I have seen one take on a Barn Owl, but I have often seen them tangle with even bigger Short-eared Owls and the Kestrels always comes off better, often stealing the owl's prey.

No Short-eared Owls emerged before dusk this evening but that doesn't mean there aren't any. It could be that they are flying after dark when the Kestrels have gone to bed!!!!