Close encounters of a LEO kind

The heavy overnight rain had weakened by dawn, but it was still necessary to don the wet-weather gear to go out into the recording area. The hoped for grounding of migrants was modest to say the least, but not without its highlights. In the trapping area a very close, head-high owl, was flushed from a sallow bush. It alighted some 40m away in full view, looking at me with blazing orange eyes and raised ear-tufts - a Long-eared! A couple of hours later a Woodlark flew south, tail-less in silhouette and yodelling of call. A hat-trick of highlights came courtesy of a late Common Whitethroat, that stayed loyal to a particular bank of brambles, although I didn't see it until my fourth attempt. No two days are ever the same here...

Comments

Lucy @ A Natural Interlude said…
Long-eared Owl, full view, eyes blazing! The kind of sight you drink in and hope never ends. Fantastic stuff, Steve.
4 November 2015 at 17:58
Steve Gale said…
Thanks Lucy, it was an encounter to be filed away under 'memorable'.
4 November 2015 at 21:03
Paul Riddle said…
Lucky you chancing on the LEO, i'm not envious in the slightest!!!!!!!!!
5 November 2015 at 18:58
Steve Gale said…
Yes Paul, you cannot beat a bit of owl action!
5 November 2015 at 20:03
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