Speckled Wood and Meadow brown were plentiful along with the Whites, good to see so many. Common Mallow is always a joy to see in bloom and the Hedge Bindweeds are looking delightful as they entwine into the hedgerow vegetation.
On the birding front I had great views of a family of Goldfinch, with the young pestering the adults for food. A flock of Goldfinch were also busy feeding on thistles. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins swooped overhead almost continuosly on my walk, I feel sad when I think that the Swifts will soon be on their way! Canada Geese fed in a field and 3 Buzzards circled overhead with one possibly being a juvenile, they were too high on the thermals for me to see clearly. Blue Tit, Linnet, Greenfinch (family), Blackcap (f), Bullfinch (m) with a juvenile, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a delightful Goldcrest made up the remaining bird species seen. No I tell a fib....there were 2 birds waiting at almost the end of my walk to surprise me.lol!! Two Tawny Owls were perched on a low branch of a pine tree just 25-30 yards away fom me!!! Wow.....what a delightful surprise! They were quite content to watch me watching them and I had what seemed almost five minutes viewing of them. I took a few photo's after having good bin views of them and as I looked down at one point to check a photo I looked up again and they had gone! I never heard a sound as they left....splendid birds! I have been informed that they are sub-adult birds and will soon be chased off the territory. I felt very honoured to have seen these two fabulous Tawny Owls.
I really enjoyed the walk and returned to my car smiling and feeling very happy.
Meadow Brown.
Comma.
Gatekeeper.
Speckled Wood.
Common Mallow.
Hedge Bindweed (pink striped)
Hedge Bindweed
Two Tu-whit tu-whoo's!
I'm surprised they weren't being mobbed by other birds while sitting out in the open like that. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteI was extremely lucky John! The area they were perched in was surrounded by a few large trees and they were on a branch that was quite low down, they were actually quite concealed. There was tall vegetation in between me and them, I had to stand on tippy toes to get a pic.lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great end to your butterfly and floral walk Pam,keep an eye on the tree as "ours" roost in exactly the same branch in the same tree day after day.
ReplyDeleteA brilliant photograph of the "hooting two"!!
I think the chances of seeing them again in the same tree is very remote and also given the information of them being sub-adults, however I am ever the optimist.lol!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment Ruth.
You are having better luck than me, Pam. I like your owl image.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike! I was in the right place at the right time...which doesn't happen often.lol!
ReplyDelete