we only get the very tail end of their weather & it brings death & destruction...
Yesterday the gales abated somewhat and it was realy quite pleasant out of the breeze, particularly in the warm sun - this brought out a number of butterfly including Red Admiral, Wall, Small Tortoishell, Small Copper & Speckled Wood, with a small number of Darters & Hawkers in the damper spots.
They werent the only ones out in the sunshine - a family of Little Owls had found a nice sheltered spot & were basking in the warmth.
Sitting so conspiciously they drew the attention of several passing species which alarmed & mobbed them to various degrees - Yellowhammer, Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blackbird & Willow Tit all in attendance - with the Blackbird im not sure if it was a case of the owl being mobbed or the thrush being hunted !, as the Little flapped about & clambered through the scrub. ( twice we've noted local Blackbird as a LO prey item )
The adults were far more active & attentive - not allowing as close an approach.
A Collared Dove came in to land close to the family, but had an adult owl on its tail before it had chance to touch down - they appear to be feisty little things at times.
Postscript:
This was towards the edge of their territory & exactly the spot were they had tried to nest before a box was supplied for them.
The previous attempt failed & the owls disappeared for a good while (a single reappeared within the year, but it was 18 month before a pair were re-established in the territory) after the rabbit hole they were using was mistakenly dug out by terrier-men.
I wouldnt have thought it would be long before the youngsters are leaving to try to find their own home ranges....
