Originally Posted by jimmy2faces (Post 1202364)

There's one less Tawny Owl in Chapel Allerton, unfortunately a friend hit one and it died before we got it to the rescue centre at the white rose :-C

Originally Posted by Keith Dickinson (Post 1202678)

From Forsman….

2nd cy females are often impossible to separate from adult females at a distance…..

The body plumage is extremely similar to adult females and aging is based on the retained juvenile feathers….. primaries, tail and under- and upperwing coverts.

Practically all females retain most of their juvenile tail through the partial moult and the juvenile retrices are clearly shorter (c2 cm) than the moulted feathers…. showing a different colour and barring.

The juvenile feathers have almost equally wide dark and pale bands….. whereas the moulted feathers are pure grey with fine dark bars and a kestrel like wide black subterminal band.

The pale tips of the juvenile are worn off …. the recently moulted feathers show broad pale tips.

Underwing coverts are mainly retained juvenile feathers showing dark barring in contrast to uniformly coloured coverts in adult females.

Upperwing coverts can be partly moulted, but worn and dull juvenile coverts are found among the greater and outer lesser and median coverts. Upperwing coverts are most easily studied on perched birds when the abraded and dull brown primaries are also quite obvious.



hope this helps

Originally Posted by Hotspur (Post 1202498)

Its a darn good job i'll be 10 minutes from the coast this weekend then (and well for the forseeable future). A mere half hour from filey tops as well and 20 mins from flamboro. Different ball game to being 90 minutes from the coast.

Originally Posted by Lawts (Post 1203063)

The only thing is the bird on Thorne is described as a 1st summer female - I'm not sure if that's different to a 2nd cy?

Thanks for the update in any event Keith.

Originally Posted by jimmy2faces (Post 1201271)

Down tell the chav birders!

Originally Posted by June Atkinson (Post 1203222)

It could be busy. You might find going to the web site for Billy Shield's Boat trips helpful. http://www.farne-islands.com/boat-trips/

It's best to go on the one where you're able to land on one of the islands ..take some protective headgear, as the terns will be divebombing no doubt!!
Hope you do get to go - it can be a splendid, even magical experience, especially if you hear the seals "singing"!!

Originally Posted by Hotspur (Post 1202498)

Its a darn good job i'll be 10 minutes from the coast this weekend then (and well for the forseeable future).

Originally Posted by Hotspur (Post 1202498)

Its a darn good job i'll be 10 minutes from the coast this weekend then (and well for the forseeable future). A mere half hour from filey tops as well and 20 mins from flamboro. Different ball game to being 90 minutes from the coast.

Originally Posted by One Man and His Dog (Post 1203517)

night heron showing well on the river walk at catton village this pm.
cheers
one man and his dog

Originally Posted by Keith Dickinson (Post 1203661)

Can't see it being predation, so that leaves nest disturbance or being shot... I thought as much. There's a hotel with aspirations of grandeur just by the rookery, I wouldn't mind betting they might have had a hand in it, as it seems to be in different ownership to last year.