So today was the first day that I was able to venture out , having removed the “moon boot” from an ankle injury , gained while stalking an Osprey three weeks ago ! The weather was dry but overcast following rain during the day, so I figured the Barn Owls would be taking the chance to hunt after being trapped by the rain, assuming they would now be feeding young!
Luckily I was right and after only a short walk I spotted one coming in “quartering” over the field below the old railway embankment I was walking on. I sat and watched the Owl hunting far away , and rapidly grabbing a few photos when it ventured close, the anguish of being cooped up for three weeks vanished !
At one point the Owl was so close to the bog that it startled a young Roe deer, before making one last dive for a Meadow Vole before heading back over the fields for its nest. I managed a short walk to look for foxes but there were none to be found, but the Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and White Throats were out in good numbers bringing in caterpillars for their nest. Arriving at home the Mallards were on the pond with three young and a Curlew was in the fields. Not a bad first trip out after my injury, hopefully the weather will return to sunshine soon.
