What have you seen
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From the RSPB
Police are on the trail after two owls were found shot within the Peak District National Park this autumn.
On 11 September 2018 a local runner witnessed a short-eared owl flying overhead, followed by what sounded like gunshots. The following morning she returned to the spot, near Wessenden Head, in the northern Peak District, on land owned by the National Trust. She found the bird on the ground, still alive. It was taken to a vet but had to be euthanized due to its injuries, which included a shattered wing.
Then on 1 October the dead body of a tawny owl was discovered close to where the short-eared owl was found (off National Trust Land).
Post-mortems revealed the tawny owl had been illegally shot, and that the short-eared owl’s injuries were also consistent with shooting. The incidents were reported to the RSPB, who informed the police, and an investigation was launched.
All birds of prey and owls are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To kill or injure one is a criminal offence and could result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in jail.
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Brave, knowledgeable or stupid?
Having seen David Attenborough and other documentaries showing Orcas taking seals from beaches and tipping ice flows to get to their food, seems a bit of an unnecessary risk to re-enter the water.
Although this story brought back a distant memory from a trip to Cuba when walking along a deserted beach, I took a dip to cool off. A rather large dark shape approached me under the water that was about 8 feet long. I stood motionless for several minutes while the OH kept calling me back in. Fortunately the shape swam away and I moved slowly back to the beach. I do not know what it was, but I had no urge to go back in to find out.
Back to terafirma, took a trip to Steart Marshes, hoping to see either the Hen Harrier or Shorteared Owl. The weather was in the main dismal to say the least despite a promising forecast of sun and cloud. still 50% right is not to bad I suppose.
The Harrier made one distant flypast, but the Owl eventually turned up and was seen hunting across three fields for nearly and hour. I am getting addicted to these majestic birds. At one point a Magpie took exception to the Owl and chased it for several minutes.
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Great photos again BM very envious, hope to get to Steart next year as we are staying at Cheddar club site for a few days before going to Broadway. I can remember a few years ago of going to Steart and seeing three camels on the beach but there was a huge flock of wading birds flying around them a very odd sight, a local friend said they used to race the camels on the beach and were just exercising them.
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Thanks RK
Camel racing in UK, who knew?
Steart is still maturing but the walkways are solid gravel and along with the hides are well suited to wheelchair access. The trail is well used by cyclists.
Hope you make and enjoy.
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First daffodil out here, They are early ones and I think I prefer the Spring ones. Also I was offered some flowering snowdrops last week, a special early type but decided they were definitely for later, got to have some things in the right order!
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I'll see your daffs and raise you a Californian Lilac. I thought my eyes were playing tricks when I looked out the window the other day.
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Doubt that we'll have a clear enough sky up in Yorkshire to see them, unfortunately.
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Does Pintail ducks mating count as early signs of spring? Along with Peregrines readying their nest site.
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Today I saw something that I have never seen before....a Barn owl sitting in the rain. It was flying around just after a heavy downpour and as I watched the rain came back and the owl sat on the grass. Not being waterproof, I always thought they kept their feathers dry...you live and learn.
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Watched Crocodile Dundee tonight, loved the scene where the Kangaroo was shooting back at the hunter.
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Blue Tits showing much interest in our nest boxes, which is 4 months ahead of last year. Magpies building nests in surrounding gardens. Seems a good decision not to put the van away for the winter. Ready for an early spring.
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Raptor day today. We were walking along the Trent Path and saw Sparrow Hawk scatter a flock of Great Tits, then a Marsh Harrier, a Kestral hovering over the scrub and a Buzzard high above, and what I thought was a Hobby flashed past. There was also a Tree Creeper and a flock of Long Tailed Tits in the woods by the path.
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Heard Tits and Nuthatch moving through the trees and saw a Nuthatch on the ground – a 1st for us. Also stopped to admire the workmanship of this ‘willow Peacock’. Happy Xmas to all.
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Have we been visiting the same place I wonder, Jayoutdoors? Merry Christmas to everyone on here and hopefully lots more sightings next year.
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Yes brue - I recognise the cottage in your photo at Stourhead Nat Trust. Quite a few willow sculptors there just now.
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Ah, I've just twigged it.
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Called out the RSPCA last night when an old guy with a long white beard somehow managed to leave a small herd of reindeer on my neighbours roof. If that wasn't bad enough they were attached to a large red toboggan thingee. To make matters worse, he could be clearly seen by a christmas tree in the front room scoffing mince pies.
OH YES I DID.
Merry Christmas.
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Large flocks of Lapwings above the Flats at Alkborough, as well as a few Marsh Harriers about yesterday. Today flocks of Wigeon on the Humber, Curlew in the fields and a Goldcrest flitting in the trees at Far Ings Reserve,
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I'll see your daisy and raise you a Californian lilac.
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Took the MH down to Hillhead- the Solent one, to blow the cobwebs out of the engine and give it all a workout. There were a few twitchers there getting very excited about a Great Northern Diver swimming a few hundred metres off the harbour.
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walking through the woods at garlieston boxing day and came across a bunch of snowdrops in full flower!
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