Wallasea Island, Short-eared Owls

A phone call from Brian offering a trip to Wallasea Island to look for Short-eared Owls was agreed to immediately, as I still hadn't managed to connect with any Short-eared Owls so far this year. 

Weather conditions were looking good as we arrived at the car park, we took the track toward the hide and were soon watching our first Short-eared Owl. This was quickly followed by several more owls hunting in the area. Eventually, we managed a count of eight owls in the air at the same time. 

While watching the owls a ringtail Hen Harrier appeared and started hunting in the same area. While the owls were constantly on show throughout our visit the ringtail hunted over a much larger area. Often hunting along the grass bank and disappearing over the bank onto Allfleets Marsh, only to reappear a short time later and resume its hunting among the owls.

We left as the light began to fade, and managed sightings of two more owls and another ringtail Hen Harrier as we approached the entrance gate.