I’ve just seen a face
I’ve loved seeing the Short-Eared Owl which has been hunting around the middle of Westray this week. They’re such special birds. Their day-hunting antics are a thrill to watch as they glide or flap ponderously over the fields.
I’ve also learned my lesson now. Just because I’ve seen it once doesn’t mean I”m not going to see it again. I was prepared for anything the first time I saw it as I drove the car down the main road on the island. Now I’m prepared for it.
It’s there again, by the side of the road. This time it hasn’t erected its facial feathers to show ‘ear’ tufts.
That piercing stare with this bright yellow eyes is a wonderful thing to experience. There’s a wild Short-Eared-Owl staring at me.
In 2024 two pairs of Short-Eared Owls bred on Westray. They are wanderers, though, and could easily end up in Scandinavia or in Ireland the year after. Sadly, they don’t seem to be breeding here this year.
I sit still in the car and admire it, ignoring whether there may be other traffic wanting to get past me..
I’ve just seen a face.
More Short-Eared Owls
The owl is there again I'm still on a high after seeing the Short-Eared Owl this morning. What a special and spectacular bird, especially so… read more
Ears on an owl I'm driving to the village of Pierowall on the main road from the ferry terminal when I see a large… read more
Sunset owl There's a Short-Eared Owl hunting over the fields and we see it land on a post just up the road… read more
Owl across the road As I drive back to the house I spot a Short-Eared Owl on a fence post. I swing the car… read more
Cattie-face There's been a Cattie-face (a Short-Eared Owl) hunting in Skelwick for months now. I see it often when I travel… read more
“Owl!” We've been sitting in this bird hide for three hours. There's been nothing. A distant Curlew. A noisy Blackbird rushing… read more
An early morning I'm not usually out early in the morning. You might have noticed that my blog contains many, many sunset photographs… read more
Stumbling upon Short-Eared Owls I volunteer for a children's charity and we're having a meeting of our trustees in Oxfordshire. I check a map… read more
2021 highlights of a wilder Orkney life I had a wonderful time on Westray in Orkney in 2021. The Puffins returned to breed and provided constant entertainment… read more