Little Owl - Family Of 4 !

Dad Watching Over The Little Ones!

                                                           Spooked By The Local Buzzard!

First Kingfisher Picture Over 1MB!

Date: 24th August - 4PM

Location:  Newton Park Lake Circular - Zones 1,2+5

Observation:  A quick wander (although didn't turn out to be quick!) out to the lake. The farmer was doing the fields at the campsite, and on the dog walk, so a few Buzzards and gulls were flying around hunting. The next field up with all the hay-bales stacked up, were full of bird of prey! 2 Kestrel and 2 Buzzard were sat on each one. Newton St Loe churchyard, were full of Goldfinch (both adults and juveniles), feeding on the thistles, had to be at least 50+ with more in the trees surrounding on watch. Just before the Lake path, a large flock of Mistle Thrush flew over us heading for Home Farm area, again had to be around 30+ (with 2 different flocks). Nothing much worth noting. We stopped and looked for the Little Owls, we spotted one to start with on their favorite perch, we then kept spotting more and more! We led down in the grass, and watched them for about half hour, we seen 4 in total, definitely 2 chicks and possibly both parents, all of which were keeping a close eye on the Buzzards who were mewing the whole time! Onto the top lake, not much to note apart from the normal, all 3 cygnets and both parents still doing well. Then to our surprise, 3 yes 3! Kingfishers sat on the railings on the waterfall, 2 flew off, into the bushes and 1 stayed for a few shots and followed the others! We walked around and a Kingfisher flew across the path in front of us and followed the river back upstream. We had a quick look for the other Little Owls at the top, no sign of them but close-by building work has more than likely disrupted them, another 2 Buzzards were flying around the forest. Then walking back, what we thought were 2 Coal Tits, turnt out to be 2 Marsh Tits, feeding on the trees, a new species for us, and a patch tick!! The 2 Kingfishers flew down onto the bottom lake and downstream and 1 Little Owl was back on the perch on the way back.  A few more Buzzards and another Kestrel with lots of Swallows and House Martins at the farm, but nothing new on the way home. One of the best walks we have had in a long, long time!

Weather:  Cloudy, Sunny Intervals, Warm

Other Species: 6 Buzzard, 3 Kingfisher, 4 Little Owls, 3 Kestrel, 20+ Mistle Thrush, 50+ Goldfinch, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Grey Heron, 10+ Jackdaw, 4 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Green Woodpecker, House Martin, Barn Swallow

A Distant Kestrel !