Sunday 14 June 2009 - More Hot Nocturnal Action - Bentley Woods, Warwickshire - 14/06/09

Sunday 14th June 2009

Bentley Woods, Warwickshire

At this time of year hay fever cripples me, so in order to ease my suffering I transform myself into a makeshift birding vampire, only venturing out under the cover of darkness.  This evening I headed over to Bentley Woods to see if I could connect with a late roding Eurasian Woodcock considering I failed to see any on Cannock Chase the other night.  As dusk approached one bird flew into view close-by and shortly afterwards another two birds were picked up over a distant conifer plantation.  The highlight however was a pair of chunky Noctule Bats passing over, the nearest we get in Britain to a Flying Fox or Fruit Bat..... well kind of.  Also in the area a pair of Common Kestrel were feeding young. 

With Woodcock in the bag I then made the short journey over to the Baxterley area for a spot of Owl watching.  I have been watching Owls in the same spot since I was a kid and it hardly ever disappoints.  A gorgeous pair of Tawny Owl were soon located, their presence given away by a pair of mobbing Blackbirds.  A Brown Hare also showed well just outside the car window.  At my second Owl site a short distance away I was pleased to hear at least two different young Tawny Owls calling at the roadside whilst an adult Tawny Owl quartered a field nearby.  A second adult then flew in and landed in a oak tree just feet away.  This bird had caught what appeared to be a young Brown Rat.  After showing well for a few minutes the bird then headed off to feed the hungry youngsters.  Whilst all this was going on a Little Owl was heard calling nearby and as I made my way home what was presumably the same bird was flushed from the roadside.

Six different Tawny Owls in less than 30 minutes is quite a result, I was well pleased with my efforts.