Saturday, November 12, 2011
Mostly about owls
We trudged up the Ridgeway on a calm, muggy morning and headed for Lowbury Hill. We were ready for anything but were still surprised when a short-eared owl flew straight towards us over the shoulder of the down.
It was about midday so we sat on the short grass of the hill-top for lunch and were treated to the sight of two owls, flying high together and frequently interacting. Greger pointed out a splendid hare running between us and the trig-point; but I was almost relieved to note that there were no wheatears present this week.Skylarks, linnets and lapwings were on the high fields; and again, there were loads of gulls with the pigs. Where we turn back towards the Ridgeway, Greger got a shot of a calling kite on the barn roof.
Three bullfinches were spotted feeding high in a silver birch, out in the open but too distant for a picture. Back in owl country, we saw one lift from near the path ahead and glide to a new spot fifty metres away in the rough grass. A second was already in the air and next moment a third, darker, bird came from behind us. It's possible there were four altogether.
The owls flew to and fro, giving us the best views we've ever had. There was a lot of noise from some lads in a jeep in the next field; a man who looked dressed for riding but had no horse and who walked right across the field scattering owls to left and right without, apparently, noticing, complained to Greger in passing about this noise and then moaned about how warm it was. Mind you, the huntsmen and dogs (I think it's called beagling when they're on foot) he was evidently waiting for were making quite a racket of their own; and in the distance, gunshots could be heard. There were loads of red-legged partridges along the Ridgeway; I've stopped including these on lists. At this time of year they're not wild birds, but raised stock that's been let loose just for clients to shoot. The original "sitting targets", I should think.
// posted by Christine @ 2:08 PM 
