The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Have you ever had a hunch about something so strong you can't do anything but do the 'hunchy' thing? I've had just that same feeling.

A beautiful walk down there with the birds starting to make roosting calls during the last hour of sunlight, and saw the following before getting to my destination:

2 Mute Swans
5 Mallards
2 Tufted Ducks
1 Canada Goose
8 Pheasants
15 Swallows
Many Blackbirds
Usual Woodpigeons and Collared Doves
1 Goldfinch
1 Robin
2 Chaffinches
Usual Sparrows
Usual starlings.

When I got there, I didn't have to wait long for it to show up. Five minutes later, my Hunch ended with a HOOT - a BARN OWL , hunting around the fields west of Boston! I remembered everything about fieldcraft, wearing dark clothing and crouched low in longer grass to conceal myself as much as possible from the owl's view.

When it moved away to other fields, I followed too, keeping as low as possible, and walking as quietly as I could. Because of this I got about 20 minutes of owl action to myself. I saw it pouncing on prey, flying around the fields, the drains around the fields and I got very close to it on several occasions. Even if I couldn't yell for joy, I felt as happy as anything, especially after a birding trip-less weekend.

I am not divulging the precise location, as I don't want the owl to be disturbed.

But hey -

EDIT - saw Great Crested Grebe, too......

Katherine

Would I be right in saying that you were a little bit happy about seeing the Barn Owl

Nick

TO-WHIT-TO-WHOO!

Barn Owl still present Monday night and tonight - will be going there most evenings to check if it's still hale and hearty!

DEVELOPMENT: There are TWO owls!!!!!

Chances are they are a breeding pair with a nest nearby Katherine. If you work out where it is consider letting a local ringer know - you might even get to see the juveniles in the hand.

Steve

One of the conditions imposed on Schedule 1 Licence holders is that only three persons can be present when visiting the nest box. Our usual team is a driver plus two ringers which gives little opportunity for spectators.

Oh Stuart, you certainly know how to dampen Katherine's spirits.

I know you are correct in what you say, but you know how keen she is on owls.

Are you saying I can't visit the site on my own? I don't go up to the foot of the box anyway, I am at least 15 or 20 metres from it, crouching amongst a long strip of tall grasses (for cover) and the owls are getting used to my being around and don't appear to be scared of me.....

As long as your actions do not amount to "Wilful disturbance of breeding Schedule 1 species" which includes Barn Owls, then there isn't a problem. I don't know the site in question but by sitting quietly 20 metres from the nest site it shouldn't be an issue. By the way, Max, I am not "trying to dampen" anyone's spirits, just pointing out a fact of which some birders may not be aware.

If anything I'm the reverse - I'm the one crouching behind cover and doing the polar opposite of wilful disturbance.....

Both owls still alive and busy!