and then there were three

well more likely four after some time observing dick and I eventually concluded two to south and two hunting to north of the bumpy road.

After two months of sighting one and occasionally two in the dark Wednesday saw the owls appear mid afternoon giving splendid views as they hunted in bright sunlight. It was out on Thursday then and the same again although why their habit has suddenly reverted to type is beyond me. Confidence in numbers perhaps.

Also reports of Great Grey Shrike (not found), Marsh Tit (are you sure) and Otter (reported by a nice couple who sadly missed out on the owls after a heavy rain storm). Things are looking good for the weekend and here's me up to my neck in work.........typical.

3,2,1

There is some pretty intense use of feeding stations currently and the ad hoc one next to the platform on the Carr is no exception with a regular triumvirate of Tits in attendance. Anybody who wants Willow Tit off their year list it's virtually guaranteed although take some seed in case supplies have been exhausted.

Numbers of birds of course means competition and threat displays like this are not uncommon however over the last week I've managed to photograph two or three of each species on the feeder at the same time with the exception of Blue Tit who always seem to prefer the position to themselves with one flying off the moment another arrives.

The boss is of course the Great Tit who on occasion will give the casual human a glare.

High tide

At Hauxley yesterday the sand had disappeared below the waves which were crashing against a pile of seaweed built up against the head of the beach and a large flock of around 200+ Black headed gulls fed on the shoreline lifting as each breaker hit the wall of vegetation.

Whilst on the pile a mixed flock of Redshank, Turnstone and Sanderling 20 to 40 of each, fed on the many flies and ants among the weed and disgraceful quantity of rubbish.

Then, as the inevitable weekend walker passed by the two groups combined in the air to fly along the waters edge before circling back to land on the outfall and await the passing of the intruder before returning to feed at the same location.

Songster with a wink and a dip

A Dipper happily singing away under the bridge over the Whittle Burn at Ovingham on Monday but barely audible due to the babbling water.

Then a wink as perhaps he spotted something and got the protective lids in place.....

before the dip into the icy torrent.

Polling station

Not any of these on my patch so took the advantage of one visiting feeders at East Chevington on Saturday.

Mr & Mrs

Given the birds name the females are less impressive.

That's a cute bum you've got there dear.

118118...............both members of the pair have moustaches

and the commentators nemesis. The moment you say there's none (see the last post) hundreds turn up in the fields around the rifle range.

Scandewegians

Not many of these on my patch at the moment but travel a few miles inland to the Stamfordham / Matfen area and some of the fields are lifting with them.

Also beginning to look smart coming into breeding plumage