Foreside Lane to Ogden (Back Lane) - Large Owl

14:30 - 16:20

A decent afternoon and after all rain of late I thought I'd try for an Owl.
I had a couple of hours birding on a calm, dry and mild afternoon walking from Foreside Lane Denholme through the reedy fields to Back Lane (Ogden).

The usual moorland birds were here, Curlew, Lapwing and Meadow Pipit.
A few Gulls over, Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed.
Kestrel close by and another distant Raptor was also, probably, a Kestrel.
Pr. Stock Doves.

Another quandary with Meadow v Tree Pipit, with the Pipits song throwing me  - easy done.
I'll have to wait a bit longer for Tree Pipit I think

A couple of Snipe were zooming high and calling and a few Reed Bunting were seen - always good to see.

 A singing Blackcap, Pied Wagtail were seen near the Denholme Velvets building and several Swallow were in and out of the stables here.

Top of the pops was a very distant large Owl that it either a Short Eared Owl or a Long Eared Owl.

On one photo, the end of the tail feathers seems quite black - SEO.
One photo shows orange eyes so - LEO.
I think 'the eyes have it " a Long Eared Owl. (Or Not!!)


Either way a lovely bird to see in the daylight.

I've also posted the picture taken by local lady Gail, on her phone, near Birdcage Lane of a young Tawny Owl.
Thanks Gail.

Mega distant Raptor - prob. Kestrel

The Long Eared Owl Photos:-

Best photo of a bad bunch - The Owl looks to have Orange Eyes here -  LEO

Gails Tawny Owl

Blackcap

Singing Meadow Pipit