Short-eared Owls at Gunpowder Park

12th November 2020

"Remember, remember the 5th Of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot"

These were the words that were running through my mind as I slogged my way up the hill at Gunpowder Park near Waltham Abbey in the hope of seeing the two Short-eared owls that had taken up residence there.

Before now I had heard of the Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey but not Gunpowder Park, and certainly not in the context of Short-eared Owls, so perhaps this is the first time in recent history that two have taken up residence, hopefully for the whole winter. 

We eventually arrived at the main watch-point, although it is an area of scrub and grassland over a huge area and therefore sightings could be almost anywhere, so as usual it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. While we were waiting a single Fieldfare provided some entertainment.

A couple of roosts were also starting to build up, the first being predominantly Jackdaws and by dark there were several hundred. The other roost was Ring-necked Parakeets of which there were at least 70 by the time we left.

From recent reports it would appear that the owls started flying at about 3.30pm. It was now 3.00pm and a dark bank of cloud was passing through quite quickly and hopefully the sun would come out just in time for the first flight. This it did but not for long enough and a second bank of cloud rolled across and therefore the first sighting, which was at precisely 3.30pm, was in poor light verging on gloom.

However, I did manage some shots but without the glow and detail afforded by late afternoon sun, but on the next sunny day, I'LL BE BACK!!!!