What an end to the year ~ Short Eared Owls - Have a wild new year to all

These birds are just so exciting and it has seemed an age since they last performed like this.
Many visits in the cold murky weather with just a few and then disappearing.  I promised myself that I would not go and look for them too early as it is possible to waste a whole lot of time.  But it gets difficult to resist when you want something to happen. Finally a brilliant bright afternoon and they were out early and many of them performing over the grassland. Unless you are into these beautiful birds it is difficult to imagine how adrenalin filled this can be.

On the hunt in Golden light

Head On

When two different raptors hunt the same territory at the same time there is always conflict.  Kestrels harass the Short Eared Owls to try and drive them away and also steal prey from them if they can get away with it.

This Shortie has a keen eye on the Kestrel above

Prey spotted then down into the grass

This afternoon was like the F.A. Cup Final of birding and a great way to end 2019 !!

Finally have a happy and wild new year.

December 2019 Roe Deer bucks in Velvet

In November Roe Deer begin growing their new antlers ready for the rut next year.  They are covered in Velvet that helps them to grow and also keeps them warm.  In spring this velvet is removed exposing the antlers ready for the rutting season next summer.  Each year the antlers fall off in October ready for the cycle to begin again.  The local Roe Deer seem in prime condition this year with perfect dense coats.

Looking great in his new Velvet Antlers

The does this year are looking good and strong, and well set up to get through the sparser winter months.  This one is enjoying the early morning winter sunshine sheltered from the wind under this hedgerow.  They always know where to get!

Beautiful Roe Deer Doe

I really enjoyed their company this morning and they are a regular encounter on my local patch in the Cotswold Hills.