Two afternoon trips to Papercourt for Short-eared Owls, Thursday and today, Seven birds yesterday, and my first Field Vole of the year. Unfortunately an Owl had it clutched in its beak by the back of the neck, so not a candidate for the year list.
Today only four owls, but one perched up right in front of me allowing a nice perched shot. I was enjoying watching three Roe Deer - a doe and two big fawns - until a complete cretin came along with a spaniel that stuck close to him and a pointer that was roaming everywhere and sniffing carefully. I marked it as a hunter and watched its movements carefully. I thought the owner was on top of things as he called it successfully several times, but it winded the deer and was away, totally ignoring the urgent whistles from the owner and then shouts. The deer all broke cover and legged it, one fawn became slightly separated and the dog selected its target.
I have just discovered that I have never before seen a Roe Deer flat out.....
The deer crossed the field in huge fast bounds, but the dog was also moving very fast and although the deer gained a few yards it was not getting clear as quickly as I had thought it would. However, it was plain that the dog was hunting by sight and the fawn led it through a bit of scrub and doubled - and completely threw the damn dog, which continued on its line, rejoined the path near me and belted off after its now departed master. Watching the chase I had not realised the dog's owner had simply walked on, assuming his dog would catch up at some point. I've always said there are no bad dogs, only bad owners and I stand by that: but if I go for the owls again and that bloke turns up I shall have something to say.
The fawn stood recovering its composure (also cooling down and resting) near me for some time. I wanted to let it move away without further disturbance but by dusk, as cloud mounted, it was still in the same place and I had to make a move. It watched me carefully but didn't spook, for which I was grateful as I felt it had had enough excitement for one evening.
As well as the Short-eared Owls, today Tawny, Barn and Little Owls were on site. I can't match Mark's parrot array but there were plenty of Ring-necked Parakeets present as well.
John