Saturday, December 01, 2007
Walking up towards Wether Down in Oxfordshire from the West Ilsley road, we found a convenient bank to have lunch on and to watch the kites, buzzards and kestrels. Greger pointed to a low-flying bird on the hillside opposite. The white rump was very conspicuous. It was a ringtail hen harrier.
As we ate, the harrier would make tantalisingly brief appearances at the edge of the field, dancing along behind the hawthorns like a butterfly. Leaving our comfortable seat, we continued up the track and paused for a few minutes, hoping for another glimpse. Suddenly a short-eared owl rose from the rough grass about 5 metres in front of us and sailed up the slope and out of sight. We were speechless.
As we ate, the harrier would make tantalisingly brief appearances at the edge of the field, dancing along behind the hawthorns like a butterfly. Leaving our comfortable seat, we continued up the track and paused for a few minutes, hoping for another glimpse. Suddenly a short-eared owl rose from the rough grass about 5 metres in front of us and sailed up the slope and out of sight. We were speechless.
The wind got up and it began to hail. This turned to rain which continued until we were back at the car. But we felt today that the birding had been worth the soaking!
// posted by Christine @ 9:15 AM 
