The Rye Meads Barn Owl

 26th February 2023

A Barn Owl had occasionally been seen hunting over the meadow at Rye Meads so I popped in on my way home from Rainham Marshes to see if it was going to perform. I settled down in the hide waiting for the owl to appear and in the best Florida them park tradition Rye Meads put on a supporting act to keep the gathered throng entertained whilst waiting for the main event.

A pair of Stonechats were flitting around in the Great Reedmace in front of the hide, sometimes the female coming close enough for some shots and even some flight action.

 

The male tended to keep to the left and therefore into the sun but it did provide some opportunities to get some back-lit shots on the "exploded" reedmace heads.

Sadly the owl didn't fly tonight, at least not before the reserve closed, but did call before it landed on a branch 40 yards along the ditch. Unfortunately a few old nettle stems caused the shots to be a little hazy but I was reasonably happy with that.