Went to have a look at the new Long-eared site in the Wear
i drove up the bank with window wound down
could hear the young bird calling close to the road.
Only parking was a bit gateway a good way up the bank top
as i strolled back down, a large brown shape appeared - a Buzzard carrying prey
as the Buzzard landed close by.
i stayed tucked in the dyke back, still a good way off & out of sight - but evern after 20 mins the juv never called again.
this wait did pay dividends though with brief views of a Hobby - ive seen more of this species in Durham in the last 2 years as i have in the last 20.
Further down the valley another spot held a beggging youngster
The estate must have gone into some kind of agri-environ scheme as the grazing densities are absolutely minimal
Looks like these 2 new Leo pairs have been quick to take advantage - there was no sign of them over the last few year.
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Highlights
Park & Ride, D'ham City: - Barn owl hunting adjacent & Badger foraging on paths on edge of car park 22:30
pr of Roe Deer standing in the road at first light & 2 Fox over the roads during the night.
Barn owls with young on the wing at a couple of spots early this morning, seems to be a good year.
This is 4-6 weeks earlier than usual & bodes well
& the Lowlights
checked 12 regular Long-eared owl pair last night in a Derwentside stronghold, (plus drive-by speculative checks) revealing only 2 sets with young !!!
They seem to be having an even worse season than 2009 ( which was the poorest i can recall )
A poor year, but there are some young Long-ears out there . . .
image of a Derwentside youngster by David Kay.
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This seems an odd situation to say the least & is highlighted in the site with "side by side "Barnie & Longie
The Barn owl is an absolute machine, in & out with prey non stop -
the Long-eared with its young 15m away only managing 4 items an hour at best.
Both birds hunting over the same ground / habo
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Young Barn owl "doing" Garden Knome
Watched it 20 mins & it never recieved a food item despite begging - both the adults were taking prey in for its younger siblings still in the nest chamber.
Eventually it saw me & fluttered closer
couple of bits down still on its head
here it contemplates a flight . . .
& off he goes . . .
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