The Supporting Cast at Heartwood Forest

20th November 2015

Of late the Short-eared Owls have been harder to see at close quarters, mainly due to the high winds when on some days they have not shown at all. However today the weather forecast was much better and so I headed off to try my luck. At the main viewpoint there was a host of birders and photographers, all waiting for the owls to perform.

After half an hour or so and still no sign I decided to wander a little further up the track and just as well that I did as half way to the wood there was a lot of activity in the grass quite close to the path. Although the birds were mainly out of sight, one or two would occasionally hop up into one of the many saplings and afford some opportunities, but you had to be quick.

The first to show was this lovely female Reed Bunting which was closely followed by this male Yellowhammer. But the icing on the cake was the appearance of a few Lesser Redpolls, a bird that I had not really expected to see here. In fact, when the whole flock eventually flew there were no less than 30 Redpolls, a really good number.

But the star of the show today was Kes The Poser which kept the crowds of waiting photographers and birders enthralled by hovering nearby and perching on one of the saplings just 15 yards from the assembled throng.How incredible is that.