as the headmaster used to say.....

six of the best.

( well, six of the second best, 'cos they're Shorties )

Photo with kind permission of David Kray, Hurworth Burn Res, Co.Durham.

Shortest days

.

bumped into this one nr Hurbuck Cottages, between Lanchester & Consett, Co.Durham.

Shorter days

Short-eareds all over the place the last few weeks

Heres an interesting shot from Dave Johnson , taken recently at Blackhall, showing the birds 'ear'

more here :-    http://www.djohnson.org/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=0


I managed this Large brown lump...........

ears a clue.............

1 of 6 Long-ears
a decent view through scope, but limited phone-scoping opportunities on a dull afternoon

floaters

small numbers of Short-eared Owls now present right across our local area

.

Silhouetted Long-eared at dusk, perched up after an altercation with a passing Short-eared Owl.

An hour before the light went today produced a Little Owl with a Magpie in attendance, a Short-eared or two hunting with a Long-eared just after half-past, a Jack Snipe flicking past close by moving off out the way of the hunting asios.