Kestrel at Thurleigh

Taken in December 2007, a very co-operative

subject

Thurleigh Barn Owl

Taken recently, unfortunately in poor light

Thurleigh. Bedfordshire. January 2008.

I visited in the hope of seeing the short eared owls but no luck, but the Hen harrier gave good views a few times, and a group of 3 Grey partridge was a welcome sight. Other birds seen: Common buzzard, stonechat,barn owl, kestrel in good numbers.

Stonechat at Thurleigh

Taken in absence of anything more exciting. X10 zoom plus 1.5 tele adaptor

Hen Harrier

Ringtail on it's way to roost, taken at Thurleigh 24/01/2008

Thurleigh

Some decent sun, at last - but cold ! The female Hen Harrier appeared at 09:00 fairly hurtling over the setaside. A further three encounters ensued over the next couple of hours but apart from Kestrel (5+) & Sparrowhawk (2) no other raptors (or owls) were seen.







Three or four Stonechat were on view.

Merlin at Hatch Lane, Thurleigh

A lucky visit to Hatch Lane this afternoon. I'd just stopped to pass the time of day with Mr Plumb who was already there, when we noticed two birds in flight. Both guessing it was a hunting Merlin, we then watched as it failed miserably to catch a Skylark - but did put on a great show. This poor footage was taken by pointing my Sony compact digital camera in the right general direction - not really BBC quality but you get the idea!

Hen Harrier video

Female Hen Harrier, Thurleigh set-a-side, 1st January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Corn Bunting at Thurleigh

This Corn Bunting was singing on the set-a-side at Thurleigh, giving stunning views from the car. 13th January 2007 by Steve Blain.

Yellowhammer

A female Yellowhammer at the set-a-side near Thurligh. 28th December 2006, by Steve Blain

Corn Bunting video

Corn Bunting singing at the Thurleigh set-a-side. 24th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Another bird from Thurleigh

A male Stonechat by the side of the road at Thurleigh. 20th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Hen Harrier

Another couple of shots of the over-wintering adult female Hen Harrier at Thurleigh.

Thurleigh Hen Harrier

An outstanding shot of the wintering Hen Harrier at Thurleigh by Andy Whitney. 19th December 2006.

Thurleigh raptors

The set-a-side next to Thurleigh airfield in north Bedfordshire is superb for raptors at the moment with Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard all seen there in the last few days. The shots above are of a female type Merlin (top) and an adult female Peregrine (bottom) seen there on 16th December 2006, by Steve Blain