Barn Owl this morning...

[mh68]

Was out at dawn this morning at a local site looking for mammals and their signs, but this was a very nice surprise. I was squeaking for Foxes at the time, and this beauty came in for a look from a nearby hedge - it landed on the post momentarily allowing me two shots before it flew off and carried on hunting. I watched it hunting for quite a while afterwards, both aerial hunting and hunting from a fence post, both methods were successful and it caught several few Voles while I watched from a distance. First ever shot i`ve managed of one of these, its made my day



Mark H

[galanthus]

what a superb pic mark must have been a groovy experience watching that one, worth your early rise methings

[djackso]

Fantastic - what a beauty! Thanks for sharing that

[mh68]

Thanks very much. I was chuffed just to see it and watch it hunt, but to get a half decent shot aswell was a huge bonus

Mark H

[witham]

Originally Posted by mh68

I was squeaking for Foxes at the time, and this beauty came in for a look from a nearby hedge -

Mark H

it maybe thought you were the prey, you're perhaps lucky it didn't land on your shoulders and carry you away

[mh68]

Originally Posted by witham

it maybe thought you were the prey, you're perhaps lucky it didn't land on your shoulders and carry you away

Yeah, it did initially, until it saw I was a tad too large to fly off with

Mark H

[Bub-les]

Wonderful moment and to get a photo as well.....
Well done you.
Barbara

[jennyb]

Fantastic photo, Mark. You are so lucky. They are magnificent creatures.

Well done.

Jenny

[nutmeg]

That's lovely, Mark. I always get a thrill when I see one.

[demicav]

Beautiful photo Mark. Isn't it great when you go out looking for one thing and see something totally unexpected. That's how I discovered my regular Adder patch, completely by chance whilst looking for something else. Well done on getting the pic, it's lovely.

[DOXHOPE]

Well done Mark..Ive seen a lot around here over the last few weeks, but just havent been able to get a picture...yet.

[mh68]

Thanks for the kind words everyone

Mark H

[GME]

WOW - no wonder you're chuffed mate!! I'd love to be able to snap one of these. Really tricky getting to see them let alone get such a lovely pic. Well done

[mh68]

Originally Posted by GME

WOW - no wonder you're chuffed mate!! I'd love to be able to snap one of these. Really tricky getting to see them let alone get such a lovely pic. Well done

Thanks mate. I`d have not got this shot if I hadnt squeaked it in though - tried sneaking up on it a short while later when it was hunting from one of the fence posts and failed miserably. Very timid birds...

Mark H

[rlchew]

That is wonderful Mark .... excellent stuff .... you must be very pleased.

Barnies are one of my favourite birds. I have seen loads but only ever managed 2 photos (of the same bird).

Do keep an eye out for your bird and psot some more photos if you can.

Richard

[mh68]

Originally Posted by rlchew

That is wonderful Mark .... excellent stuff .... you must be very pleased.

Barnies are one of my favourite birds. I have seen loads but only ever managed 2 photos (of the same bird).

Do keep an eye out for your bird and psot some more photos if you can.

Richard

Thanks Richard, yes, very pleased to get a few shots,even more pleased that they came out ok Now I know where it is, I want to try and get some flight shots if i can - it appeared so quickly this morning I didnt have time to adjust my camera settings in time to catch it in flight...

Mark H

[deer boy]

WOW Great shot Mark such lovely birds, as Richard says keep an eye out & let us now how u get on

[ellen h]

Lovely photo Mark,hope you get to see it again!
ellen

[mh68]

Originally Posted by deer boy

WOW Great shot Mark such lovely birds, as Richard says keep an eye out & let us now how u get on

Thanks DB, and Ellen. I`ll certainly try and get back there soon

Mark H

[Kayleigh]

Nice shot Mark. Gorgeous bird.

[mh68]

Thanks Elaine

Mark H

[Gaina]

What a great photo . When you mentioned the squeaking, did you see that clip of film Simon King had during Springwatch where he squeaked specifically to attract a barn owl and got great footage of it briefly hovering over him? Now you know how to attract it again

[witham]

I had a nice sighting last night, I went up the garden to shut the greenhouse up for the night and while I was there our local Barn Owl 'landed' in a nearby Hawthorn tree that's in the chicken pen, it stayed for a few seconds but think it saw me and flew off over the back fields, we sometimes get mice etc that come into the pen to 'glean' little bits the chickens have left if I'd thought I could have 'squeaked' it might have stayed longer

[Gill Catton]

fantastic, everyone seems to love these birds and I am no exception!! Quoite a pale bird so probably a male. Interesting that he wasn't carrying off the voles to a family - maybe has no active nest?! I think its a little early still for fledged babies but I could be wrong....

[mh68]

Thanks for the comments

Gaina, yep saw the bit on Springwatch. Simons skill at accurately mimicking a variety of animals was most impressive. My squeaking isnt so impressive - sounds like a cross between an injured Rabbit, a Vole, a broken violin and a tortured cat. Works though, and so far its attracted Weasels, Stoats, Foxes,Rabbits (!!),this Barn Owl, 3 joggers, 2 dogwalkers and a strange white van that followed me all the way home

Gill, I think it`s a lone male who hasnt paired up. It`s been around a while from what i`m told. There was a Long Eared Owl the other side of Cramlington which was a lone bird too couple of months ago ,which hung around for ages. Round here must be the Owl equivalent of a singles` bar

Mark H