Bowland..Owls..Tawny Owl

To complete my collection of owl images from recent trips into Bowland I am now showing some of a very obliging Tawny Owl.The Tawny Owl is mainly nocturnal and is not often seen during daylight hours.However at this time of the year the sun is up early and the tawny owl is still out and about.This particular individual shown below was in fact enjoying the warmth of the sun as it perched on roadside walls and fences.

I think it is a lighter phase bird compared to a darker rufous phase but I am not sure and need to consult a local expert on bird identification.However it was a wonderful experience and I took many images on the two occasions I saw the bird.I also saw a darker bird and I will publish more images at a later date.Meantime thanks for looking in and stay safe and well.

Bowland..Owls..Short Eared Owl.

Following on from my last post I am now concentrating on the Short Eared Owl.It had been a long time since I had seen a short eared owl so it was a nice surprise to discover that a pair were nesting on the moorland I have been visiting recently in Bowland.The nest would be well hidden in dense heather somewhere out in the middle of the moor.I saw one of the birds,probably the male returning a couple of times with voles it had caught.

As with the barn owls I didn't have any close encounters but again I was reasonably pleased with the results that you can see below.As with the barn owls I will be returning when the weather settles down again to try for some better images.Meantime hope you enjoy these and thanks for looking in.So stay safe and keep well.

Bowland..Owls..Barn Owls

On my recent visits to Bowland I have been treated to views of four species of owls. Barn Owl,Short Eared Owl,Tawny Owl and Little Owl.This posting is about the Barn Owl.The location I have visited is moorland with rough grassland and many stone walls and fences where the owls can perch as they look and listen for the voles which seem to be in good numbers.There are also dilapidated farm buildings where the owls will have their nests and young.

I have shown below some images of the barn owls hunting the moorland and perching on some of the many stone walls surrounding the area.I wasn't able to get good close images but I am reasonably pleased with the results.I will be visiting the area again probably early mornings next week and hopefully return with more images.Meantime take care and keep safe and thanks for looking in.

Bowland...Curlews

Recently I have spent time in Bowland observing the wonderful landscape and wildlife.I have been leaving home very early morning to enjoy the cooler conditions as it has been too hot during the day as we enjoyed a record dry May with virtually no rain and very warm temperatures.It was a fantastic experience to watch the day unfold and to see the birds and creatures going about their daily lives.In this post I am concentrating on the Curlew.

This iconic bird of the upland areas of Bowland seems to be doing quite well in this part of England.Sadly the numbers of curlews in the UK has halved.A quarter of the world population breeds in the UK and Ireland so this is a very serious matter and there is even talk of the species becoming extinct.Thankfully as I have said I have seen and heard reasonable numbers of breeding curlews in my travels.I have shown below a number of images of curlews and their habitat all taken from the car on my trips to Bowland.It is a lovely and iconic bird of the upland areas and I hope it remains in this part of Lancashire for many years to come.

Hope you enjoy my images below.Thanks for looking in and next time I will post images of owls seen on my recent travels in Bowland.Meantime stay safe and well and enjoy the cooler weather and much needed rainfall.