Thursday, December 15, 2011

Rapturous

It was a half decent day at last, even a touch of sun and less wind, with the result that all the raptors came out to play on Rawcliffe Moss. I’d gone for a wander about and bumped into Seumus dropping seed for the sparrows, and then afterwards found myself watching mainly birds of prey. For the record and in rough order of appearance the raptor count stood at 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 1 Peregrine, with a total of 8 Buzzards appearing as four pairs over four separate woods.

The harrier looks like it was flying into the trees but it wasn’t, it just flew quite close at one point then kept a safe distance without giving any more photo opportunities.

Hen Harrier

Buzzard

Both the Peregrine and Merlin were a distance away, at one point the Peregrine stooping without success at a flock of Jackdaws. The “shorty” put in a brief appearance before it too disappeared into a ditch that looked suitable for a daytime roost. Plodding around the moss produced a good selection of other birds, especially the bunting family, with 24 Corn Bunting, 25+ Yellowhammer and 30 Reed Bunting.

Corn Bunting

Other birds seen: 14 Grey Partridge, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 30 Chaffinch, 200+ Tree Sparrow, 40+ Skylark, 4000 Starling, 300+ Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird

Greenfinch

A few readers commented about my new header, but I'm not happy as the picture should fill across the page, not stop half way. Seems there's a problem with Blogger (again).

6 comments:

Stuart Price said...

Nice selection of raptors Phil and looked like a nice day to boot.........

Russell Jenkins said...

Ooh, I love seeing raptors and you've caught some shots of beauties. A while since I've seen a merlin so I'll have to brave the winter winds and find one. Only a winter visitor here, and amazing you included an owl in your list of diurnals

Jose Ramon Santana Vazquez said...

...traigo
sangre
de
la
tarde
herida
en
la
mano
y
una
vela
de
mi
corazón
para
invitarte
y
darte
este
alma
que
viene
para
compartir
contigo
tu
bello
blog
con
un
ramillete
de
oro
y
claveles
dentro...


desde mis
HORAS ROTAS
Y AULA DE PAZ


COMPARTIENDO ILUSION
PHIL

CON saludos de la luna al
reflejarse en el mar de la
poesía...




ESPERO SEAN DE VUESTRO AGRADO EL POST POETIZADO DE FLOR DE PASCUA ENEMIGOS PUBLICOS HÁLITO DESAYUNO CON DIAMANTES TIFÓN PULP FICTION, ESTALLIDO MAMMA MIA, TOQUE DE CANELA ,STAR WARS,

José
Ramón...

Mary Howell Cromer said...

The Corn Bunting and Green Finch images are just superb Phil! I like where the Bunting was perched, blending in so perfectly with the elements. I'm not sure why, but just about any bird with Bunting attached, I just seem to be drawn to them, so cute, they all are~

Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok said...

I'd love to see the Hen Harrier. In fact, I still haven't seen any species of harrier here in Japan. Back in Thailand, Hen Harrier is an even rarer migrant.

Millhouse Photography said...

What a fantastic day Phil. There are not many better venues than Rawcliffe Moss for Raptors.

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