Couldn't Resist Another Trip To The Fens

6th December 2023

Photographing Short-eared Owls is so addictive. My last visit was only the 29th November but just had to come again to try and get some even bettter shots. We arrived a bit early so time to have a look at the hedgerows for winter thrushes. The first bird to announce its presence was this rather noisy Wren.

Further up the track were a number of Hawthorns heavily laden with berries and were attracting the attention of 50+ Fieldfares and a few Redwing. Unfortunately they were very skittish and when they eventually settled were often obscured by branches. Luckily this particular individual was obviously more interested in the berries than me and posed for a photo.

On to the fen now and a male Kestrel was having a rest from hovering and sitting on a post, whilst overhead a femaleSparrowhawk was passing through.

Only the Roe Deer showed any interest in what we were up to.

As I noted on my last visit the owls, not only here but also other sites, seem to flying earlier than usual this year and when we arrived at the river bank an owl was already in the air. It would appear that their main flight period is from 1pm-3pm at which point it seems to go quiet.  Luckily today the light was superb.

I particulary liked this one taken against a back-drop of Hawthorn bushes laden with red berries.........

...............and also managed to get my favourite shot of a Short-eared Owl, a reverse dive.

And as before they were still arguing about which part of the huge reserve was theirs!!!

Well another fantastic day with the Shorties, and just time for a couple of shots of the resident Little Owls.