Long Eared Owls Marton Mere (1 Viewer)

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Paul Hackett

Well-known member

• Jan 25, 2004

• #1

Decided to visit Marton Mere near Blackpool y/day

My aim was to try and get some decent pics of the long eared Owls that have set up a winter roost there, its never easy because in the main, they are usually deep in the dense bushes/trees

when i arrived there was one bird showing low down but totally obscured and the other birds were well tucked in (see first picture)

I then went around the enclosed area to see if i could get a better shot of the other birds but to no avail, either the bird was backlit, or they were showing their backs to me !

i decided to wander back and forth in the hope that at least one of the birds would possibly move a little to the left or right allowing me a decent unobscured shot, towards the last hour of daylight my first bird moved right about 6 inches enough for me to start taking pics ( see second picture ) then the bird decided to stretch itself fully within the confines of the bush right onto the very tips of its claws with one wing fully outstretched and i pressed the shutter right at the top of the bird's stretch and got this really unusual picture ( see third picture ) it shows that with a little patience anything is possible !

 

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Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jan 25, 2004

• #2

Great pictures, were the birds easy to find on the reserve all together or spread out.

 

IanF

Moderator

• Jan 26, 2004

• #3

Very nice Paul. I've een seeing a few LEO's around of late too so I can appreeciate just how difficult it is to get a decent view of them through the branches.

 

christineredgate

Winner of the Copeland Wildlife Photographer of th

• Jan 26, 2004

• #4

Lovely shots,Paul,your patience certainly paid off.
Well done,
Christine

 

psilo

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2004

• #5

HI Paul. Long eared Owls at Martin mere sounds great! I often go to Martin mere but I do not know where to find them. I also dont know how to see your photos? Can amyone help me?

 

esmondb

The fool that MrT doesn't pity

• Jan 27, 2004

• #6

psilo said:

HI Paul. Long eared Owls at Martin mere sounds great! I often go to Martin mere but I do not know where to find them. I also dont know how to see your photos? Can amyone help me?

Click to expand...

Just click on the photos - a new window will appear with the full size image

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Jan 27, 2004

• #7

Psilo,

This is Marton Mere in Blackpool not Martin Mere near Southport.

Andrew,

The birds are in one place. I found the first bird mid November, they have increased and moved roost when disturbed by a photographer (obviously not Paul!).

Stephen.

 

P

Paul Hackett

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2004

• #8

Steve

thanks for clearing that one up !

Rgds

Paul

 

pauco

Старлин&

• Jan 27, 2004

• #9

Paul if you can get a chance to go to Marshside
RSBP at southport, it would be well worth your time there are 3 long-eared owls that have been showing very well over the marsh and no cover to trouble you, park next to the sand works as you come of the carpark keep the works to your left,
and walk about 350 yards you will see a small wooden type jetty set yourself up their, and scan
the marsh.
bert.

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Jan 27, 2004

• #10

Bert,

Are they not Shorties? It isn't typical of LEOs to fly during the day and saltmarsh isn't typical habitat.

Regards,

Stephen.

 

pauco

Старлин&

• Jan 27, 2004

• #11

Hi stephen.
Thanks for that yup you are right, its me they are
shorties sorry paul, but still nice to see, he says
going a colour of scarlet!!!!

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jan 27, 2004

• #12

In case I make a visit to Marton Mere for the LEOs. Where about on the reserve should I head for, bearing in mind I have never been there before?

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Jan 27, 2004

• #13

Andrew,

I only live literally round the corner, if you do come up (from Devon?) give me a shout and I'll meet you there and show you them.

Regards,

Stephen.

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Jan 27, 2004

• #14

Thanks for the brilliant offer. I shall remember it.

(from Devon?) Yes, I may be in the area a few days.

 

Last edited: Jan 27, 2004

S

StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Feb 18, 2004

• #15

Hi Paul

Your pic's are great ! I have 'just' tried my first bird photo & it was this species as its my fave. bird.

The 1st pic seems to show the bird in an Elderberry Bush ? Can you confirm, as i've had 2 seperate roosts this winter were the birds used Elderberry (Sambucus)
Previously i cant recall seeing them in that tree species.

Your second picture is great as it shows a Leo as it should IDEALY BE SEEN....
ie UNDiSTURBED & RELAXED.....!!!!!! (no tufts, 'fat' shape etc) Well Done !!

The 3rd appears to be the same bird as in pic 2, but its obviously limbering up for its night-shift. This is a great picture.

How long did it take to get the pictures?

(Hope to get some photo practice in myself this weekend)

StevieE

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2004

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Nick-on

Well-known member

• Feb 18, 2004

• #16

Are the owls still there?
I will be visiting God's Country (Lancashire) at the weekend and plan an afternoon at Martin Mere but the snow Buntings at Starr Gate (wherever that is) and LEO at Marton Mere could induce a slightly earlier start and a bit of a detour to Blackpool.
Don't know my way round Marton Mere (only one visit a long time - American Bittern - ago) so a few directions would be helpful as well.

Thanks

Nick

PS V nice pics!

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Feb 18, 2004

• #17

Nick-on said:

...
at Starr Gate (wherever that is)
QUOTE]

Wherever that is! It's the centre of the universe. Over 1300 scoter there this morning - check out my website for more details.

Yes the owls are still there, took somebody today who'd never seen a LEO.

I am trying to see if I can accommodate Andrew this weekend, but if you come on Saturday let me know and I can probably show you either or both sites.

If you want a description of where to see some of the owls I can do this.

Stephen.

Click to expand...

 

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Nick-on

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2004

• #18

Can't make Saturday unfortunately so directions would be very nice, thanks. Will have to visit the 'centre of the universe' to see what it looks like (got very confused by stephen Hawking's book) as for 1000 C.Scoters I'm afraid I'm of the "seen one seen 'em all" persuasion as far as ducks are concerned (except rare Eiders and Harlequin). Far more interested in the Snow Bunts! There was a Shorelark with them earlier in the winter but I don't know if it's still about? Hope you have a good day Saturday (I won't, I'll be being towed round the Trafford Centre....).

Cheers

Nick

 

J

jayhunter

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2004

• #19

Paul cracking photos your first was very similar to Steves shot earlier in the week. Love the second shot, do the ear tufts just flop down when it is relaxed? As with Steve's comment your third was a little different showing a wing at full stretch. I thought Marton Mere was near the end of the M61?

 

Stephen Dunstan

Registered User

• Feb 19, 2004

• #20

Nick,

Well I guess the 3 Long-tailed Ducks this morning wouldn't win you round either, but with these and 1300 scoter and a pod of porpoises all before work I was certainly impressed.


There were 2 Shorelarks, as far as I know I was the last person to see them on Friday so they may have moved on. The Snow Buntings were showing well today despite the half term crowds.

In terms of the owls they are all in one place but viewed from two locations. The easiest of these to describe is the one outside the reserve. Leave the reserve in the north east corner, joining the bridleway by the corner of the golf course. Walk towards the hotel with the golf course to your right. When your view of the golf course is obscured by a mound stop just before the small hawthorn bush on the mound and look in the bush to your left inside the reserve fence. There was one showing really well there yesterday.

The others are just east of the path to the container hide, on a Sunday just ask somebody as there are usually plenty of people about.

(By the way Marton Mere is at the end of the M55, not the M61 which again sounds rather like signpost for Martin Mere WWT, though this is some miles from that motorway).

Hope that helps. If anybody is going and wants directions for Pinkfeet and Whoopers in the vicinity let me know.

Stephen.