Long-eared Owls

Lade - cold, cloudy, w 3 - A nippy morning with a brisk westerly airflow. We walked Mockmill and out across the Desert where it was virtually birdless apart from a pair of Reed Buntings in the sewer scrub. The Slavonian Grebe on south lake was fishing close to the bank amongst 20 dabbling Shovelers.

                                Slavonian Grebe, Lade

                                Long-eared Owl, Dipping Pool

Dungeness - The two Iceland Gulls were back at the Patch this morning and one was seen on Burrowes later. This winter two roosting Long-eared Owls have been star performers, off and on, in the willows behind the Dipping Pool on the bird reserve. About midday one bird was sat in full view sheltered perfectly from the west wind, ear tufts up and eyes half open. These two beauties wont be here for much longer, so best to enjoy `em while you can.