On Friday 24th January I had a run out to Filey Country Park after learning earlier on in the week that there were 2 Short – eared Owls feeding in and around the ‘Totem Pole’ field which lies at the eastern side of the park. Initially there were no signs of the bird; but after a 20 minute wait the owl flew in from the Brigg and gave a great 2 minute fly-past. I had placed myself with the sun at the back of me and the owl flew right through the ‘sweet – spot’. Needless to say the camera was busy!!! As it flew past where I was stood, the Sun brought out its gorgeous heavily streaked yellow and brown plumage – which offers the bird superb camouflage when it goes to ground. One of the most enduring features of Short-eared Owls are their vivid yellow eyes and they provide a stunning feature if you can view the owl in a head-on pose. Short-eared Owls winter on salt marsh and coastal fields , often migrants from the near continent spend their winters in the U.K. supplementing our breeding birds which move down from the moorlands and heaths to winter by the coast. 2 birds were reported from Filey Country Park; even though I only saw the 1 bird it was still a magical experience watching it, as it quartered the fields searching the fields for an unsuspecting rat or vole for its next meal. More images of the bird have been uploaded onto my UK Gallery.
Species List for 2020: As of 25th January 97
Species photographed 455 – Target 500
