I thought I would pay the Folkingham Great Grey Shrike another visit before it moves on ....... as they always do. ( I last connected with it on 27th December. ) I spent an enjoyable hour and a half there today (Sat) (12.15 - 1.45) in the company of an old birding friend from Metheringham,Peter S. and his Dad, Steve, with occasional other birders calling by...especially with the question, " Is it still about ?" It most certainly was 'still about', but not as close as we would have wished. It spent a lot of time roaming well to the left of "The Range" (=the house with the blue lights") to well to the right, as far as the Farm Shop. Most of the views were distant but finally we saw it much closer to, perched on a low Hawthorn, near the Farm Shop.
Also, 2 Red Kites circling above and drifting slowly away.We next agreed to RV at Dorrington Fen, where a couple of days ago BirdGuides had reported 4 Short-eared Owls. I arrived at the Fen at 2.30 and the action really began for us about 20 minutes later. The next 40 minutes were spent with us watching just one SEO after another with up to 5 being seen in the air at the same time ....and all happening quite close, in bright sunshine, and so in excellent light.
: an absolute feast for the eyes of this SEO admirer, and eclipsing any SEOfest in any other location so far this winter. On one occasion, 2 SEOs 'dive-bombed' a Buzzard perched at the top of a Hawthorn, immediately followed by another 2 doing the same... To its credit the Buzzard didn't budge......( Location : on Dorrington Fen where the Dorrington Dike takes a sharp turn by the North Kyme - Dorrington Fen road at TF 130536) (limited parking at the road bend). The Owls were performing mainly along and around the Dike embankment. Pleased to meet up again with local birder, Derek Pell. As I left the site at 3.30pm, the SEOs were still active. NOTE. : a main 'plus' in birding today was the complete absence of any noticeable wind....a great bonus !Freddy
