Wednesday 23 December 2015

High plains paddling


My first short eared owl of the winter this morning foraging between Garwnant north and the Penderyn road. Bird very distant so just record shots, you can see road edge markings in top image, my first ever sighting in this area (SN9813, RCT, VC42). Also I had a phone call from Marc Everett, WW Rangers, on Monday afternoon that a probable great grey shrike carrying prey had been spotted flying west to east across A470 near the turn off for Garwnant. He was 90% sure, but, he was driving during a brief dry period with strong afternoon sunshine and had the bird in silhouette only. By the time he had managed to turn around the bird had gone (I couldn't get to site held up in post funeral refreshment period). I spent several hours today however at Garwnant and the surrounding area and failed (again) to make contact. Usual at Rhaslas; wigeon[16], tufted[12] and not much else. Then it rained.

6 comments:

  1. It should be SN9813, its the cherry brandy.

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  2. Most surprising thing about this Mike is that you had a period at Rhaslas without rain.
    Well done on the Owl.

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  3. Nice find Mike and nice too see you posting and what time was the owl please

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  4. Cheers chums, I had the owl at 10:30ish. I haven't been posting because, to be honest, its been hard going with very little to write home about. The habitat along the Penderyn road looks ideal for shorties but I assumed their absence was due to lack of mammals but we've had both barn & shorty in the last month(ish) so maybe a long ear along the conifer edge will be next. See you, have a good xmas

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  5. Great to see photos taken in the sunshine: I'd almost forgotten what it looked like!

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