There are Owls in those fields!!!

Today I took a friend out to the Salisbury Plains, to see if we could see any of the Short-eared Owls that have been so elusive for me on my previous visits. 

The sun was out with only a few scattered clouds, so we thought the chances should be pretty good, as on the previous days it had been raining in the area with some wind. 

On route a few hares and roe deer were seen in the fields, along with the odd buzzard. The weather was pleasant, though cold, when we arrived on the tracks. Other watchers were out,  but not many owls had been seen.  As we drove around, the very tolerant resident Kestrel was perched in his usual spot, and some Stonechats were seen along with a couple of Corn Buntings. 

By late afternoon with no owls being spotted we decided to try a bit further along the valley.  Finally, success! Though distant, two Shorties could be seen quartering over the rough grass. Under a hour of light was left by then, so our fingers were firmly crossed that they would come closer. However, no luck - as they continued up the ridge. 

I should have been paying attention to the bushes on the side of the track, as they like to perch on them. Right enough, one had been perched by the side of the road & as we drove past, off it went! It landed on the ground a short distance further back, allowing a quick record shot. 

Short-eared Owl

We decided to head back to the location of our first sighting and wait. Glad we did, as one continued to hunt and caught a vole. As it flew off with it, what looked like another Owl jumped up and successfully stole her lunch. On closer inspection it was the female Hen Harrier. The disgruntled Owl flew off and perched on one of the hawthorns further back in the field. While we were waiting for more action, the Male Hen Harrier flew past quite distantly. 

Short-eared Owl

As the sun was now setting, we decided to head off and on our way round stopped to have a quick chat with another visiting friend who had been lucky to see 4 owls from his position, though again fairly distant. While we chatting our forth owl appeared, hunting in the distance. We said our farewells and headed out and just on the last 30 meters of track encountered one last Shortie perched fairly close by. 

It was now dusk, so it was a case of up with the ISO and hope for the best!

Short-eared Owl

A couple of records shots of our fifth Owl of the day. Including our friend's sightings there were at least 7 individual birds present. We are assuming this perched bird and the other seen while we were talking were two of the four he saw as they were in the same area. 

Short-eared Owl

Lets hope for some nice weather at the weekend as we are hoping to return.