Thursday, July 19, 2012

Shorty Post

I was hoping for a harrier at Pilling today after the wind dropped and the overnight and then early rain made for a warm, muggy morning fit for a raptor or two – maybe the Montagu’s down from the rainy Pennine fells? 

No harriers appeared but patrolling the sea wall briefly was an early season Short-eared Owl, down from the fells. It looked like a juvenile, very bright and orangey in the wings, even for a “shorty”. The owl was in the air for a minute or two before it dropped into a distant ditch and I didn’t see it again. Two other raptors today were an obligatory Kestrel, and then a Peregrine which came from the Knott End direction before heading inland as then in the distance, it turned right and south again. 

Short-eared Owl

Otherwise there’s little news to report: 2 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 18 Linnet, 8 Greenfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Corn Bunting, 6 Skylark, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron. 

Greenfinch

A large count of Curlew for 19th July –over 700 birds Lane Ends/Pilling Water. Still low numbers of Swallows this morning with less than 15 birds around and then a sudden but definite west and south movement of 30+ individuals about 11am. 

Back home I turned my attention to the garden where Goldfinches come and go, and at last a few juveniles. Out of 7 Goldfinch caught in a few hours, six were “3J” type and one an earlier season but juvenile female losing its mottled 3J markings. A couple more juvenile Greenfinch caught too, and fingers crossed, no sign of the dreaded thrichomonosis in the garden this year. 

Goldfinch - "3J"

8 comments:

  1. Whoa!!!! Nice shot of the Short Ear Owl. I am not worthy. Do you know that I'll find every Great Horned Owl and their owlets? Hummingbirds....no problem. But as for the other owls....major issues over here. I think they can be looking me straight in the face while I'm birding and I still won't see them.....but Great Horned....they fly right in front of me. I'm not complaining but I think when I do find a short earred or pygmy owl, I will faint:)

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  2. Bonita captura del Verderon comun.Saludos

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  3. Great shot of the SEO Phil, still need to see one of these!!

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  4. the short-eared owl a nice sighting; to me it would be! The raptors, another day perhaps. You're certainly out there amongst them all; it's only a matter of time

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  5. There great shots. I'd love to see a young owl out and about on a fence like that. Must suit the atmosphere you described.

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  6. That Short Ear Owl image is just way too wonderful Phil!
    And now to your new header/banner image.
    What a stunning image, it is just glorious in every way imaginable.
    I think this is one of the best images that I have ever seen in quality, colour, contrast, the whole thing, just superb~

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  7. I love to watch birds, altho I am not as 'professional' as you seem to be...your pics are super, espec. those incredible 'header birds'.....what and where are these?

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  8. Hi Phil

    Great to see the Shortie at this time of year and as with you, no sign of the 'trico' this year either, thankfully.

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