An early morning visit to Mark Ash Wood yesterday. Hoping to find nesting Redstarts, but in fact there were already fledged chicks about. No decent photos of them, but I did find a Tawny Owl. Not the usual spot, but not too far away.
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One of the Salisbury Cathedral Peregrine chicks that hatched in 2014 was found shot on farmland near Stockbridge back in early March this year. Someone found it and took it to the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover where its been recovering. It was released back into the wild this morning and I was invited to take some photos.
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Have spent a few days camping in the Avalon Marshes, near to the Shapwick and Ham Wall reserves. Mostly grey, overcast and rainy which is a shame. But I still saw a fair bit, and took a few photos.
First up Bitterns. Quite a bit of Bittern action at the moment - mostly pairs chasing each other, but did see three together in flight at one point.
Secondly, Marsh Harriers. Four Marsh Harriers hunting most of the time in front of the Avalon Hide at Ham Wall.
Also from the Avalon Hide, owls. Two Tawny Owlets (plus two adult Tawnys not photographed) and two Barn Owls. All visible from about 17:00 onwards.
Any finally, some other snaps - including Cuckoo (3 heard) and Hobby (3 seen on the Sunday) and Otter (2 seen, 1 with an eel).
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A brief trip to Langford Lakes mid-afternoon today. Saw four Hobbies all hunting together for about an hour. Very impressive to watch - shame they were so high up.
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First Turtle Doves of the year today on Martin Down in Hampshire. Saw and heard 2, possibly 3. Rather grey sky just before the rain kicked in, so a few record shots.
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