In search of hooky beaks
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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In search of hooky beaks
With my impending by-pass being put on hold again, i decided to venture out to a site a few miles away in search of hooky beaks, (owls).
It was a cracking day, much warmer than the expected 3 degrees forecast. A short bus ride later and i arrived at Prestwick Carr, near Newcastle airport.
A short walk up the long track brought me my first contact with a Short-eared owl, at this time of year they hunt during daylight and it was great to see this lovely bird quartering the fields.
It was soon joined by 2 others, sadly they were distant and the sun was in my face making it difficult to get any shots worthwhile.
Continuing up the track i stopped at a gate to watch more owls, when i was joined by a very friendly Robin, it hung around and im sure it was hoping for a handout.
I kept on walking in the hope i could make contact with the wintering Great-grey shrike,but it failed to put in an appearence, at the top of the track a couple of Common Buzzard sat atop the bushes enjoying the sunshine.
As the day was drawing to an end i retraced my steps, and again the Short-eared owls were putting on a show, im hoping to return with my converter and tripod as i may have a chance of a decent shot of these lovely birds.
The temperature was dropping like a stone and i was glad when the bus came, first time out with my camera for months must try harder to get back in the swing of things.
regards brian.
It was a cracking day, much warmer than the expected 3 degrees forecast. A short bus ride later and i arrived at Prestwick Carr, near Newcastle airport.
A short walk up the long track brought me my first contact with a Short-eared owl, at this time of year they hunt during daylight and it was great to see this lovely bird quartering the fields.
It was soon joined by 2 others, sadly they were distant and the sun was in my face making it difficult to get any shots worthwhile.
Continuing up the track i stopped at a gate to watch more owls, when i was joined by a very friendly Robin, it hung around and im sure it was hoping for a handout.
I kept on walking in the hope i could make contact with the wintering Great-grey shrike,but it failed to put in an appearence, at the top of the track a couple of Common Buzzard sat atop the bushes enjoying the sunshine.
As the day was drawing to an end i retraced my steps, and again the Short-eared owls were putting on a show, im hoping to return with my converter and tripod as i may have a chance of a decent shot of these lovely birds.
The temperature was dropping like a stone and i was glad when the bus came, first time out with my camera for months must try harder to get back in the swing of things.
regards brian.
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Join Date: May 2011
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Great set brian.. Love the short eared owls.
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Very beautiful Brian
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what an incredible sight.
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Sounds like a very enjoyable trip Brian and you certainly had some nice birds to photograph.
We have owls (tawny) in the big trees at the end of the garden. I hear both the male and female every night but I've failed to see them in 13 years of living here.
We have owls (tawny) in the big trees at the end of the garden. I hear both the male and female every night but I've failed to see them in 13 years of living here.
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That Robin is sucking it's cheeks in to make it look thin, so you'll feed it 
Great set Brian.
Great set Brian.
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Nice set Brian...I like the common buzzard 
Not so common where i live. I would love to capture more images of birds of prey in the wild, i never seem to have any luck, other than photographing the Kites. Nice short eared owl too
Not so common where i live. I would love to capture more images of birds of prey in the wild, i never seem to have any luck, other than photographing the Kites. Nice short eared owl too
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I like that last shot of the Owl.
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