Ring Ouzel and Little Owl

 Feeling like Spring today warm, sunny and the sound of Chiff Chaff (for a week or so), Willow Warbler (locally for last couple of days) and singing Blackcap fresh in today.

Went up for the hill hoping for Ouzels and there were five plus bonus Little Owl

Spring Migrants

Nice couple of hours birding locally. Pair of Little Owl and Wheatear near Pots and Pans. Four Ring Ouzel, pair of Stonechat, bubbling Curlew and tumbling Lapwing in surrounding fields close to home. One Lapwing looked like it was sitting on eggs.

Spring is springing

Displaying singing Wheatear, drumming Snipe several male Ring Ouzel newly arrived including a mobile flock of 7 which just wouldnt stay put for a photo.  Local Little Owl making it sound and look like spring

Wood Warbler and Owls

Had a nice afternoon birding. Wood Warbler trilling its heart out at Langsett and then enjoyed watching a Little owl and Long eared Owl both hunt successfully on a local moor

Invisible Singing Quail

Nice local day birding yesterday. Great to hear  singing Quail but despite wading through a field for an hour and getting very close they just moved through the undergrowth. Also seen were Little Owl, Short Eared Owl, and drumming Snipe. A tame Meadow Pipit proved to be the photographic star.

Woodland Treasures

Myself and Dave went to Errwood Reservoir early morning to try for woodland birds. We were not disappointed, quickly on several singing Redstart. We also saw several Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit and a Little Owl. A Common Sandpiper was walking down the road and we heard a Cuckoo

Nightingale Bluethroat and Montagu's Harrier

Quality not quantity today. The main objective was to see Nightingale at Whisby Gravel Pits near Lincoln so we set off from home at 5. We had great success immediately hearing at least 2 birds north of the railway line and quickly getting some excellent views and pictures. Job done!

It was then a tossup to somewhere on the East coast to connect with spring migrants. We opted for Norfolk and went in search of the Bluethroat at Cley. I had the briefest view of a flash of blue, quick display and then back into the reeds. Sorry Dave! Sadly there were no more sign of the bird for the next 2 hours although we did see a Hobby pass through and had a Little Owl sat on a wall.

All was not lost though as we went inland to a site that has seen Montagu's Harrier in the past and were rewarded with crippling views of a male hunting over the adjacent field. Just a shame I didn't concentrate on my camera's autofocus settings in the excitement.....