Friday 27th June and I wanted a change of scenery but with as little effort as possible. We all have those lazy feeling days (gets more often as age advances) so I decide to drive to Welney WWT for a few hours photography, concentrating on the Barn Swallows that nest at the back of the hides.

Well, the idea was mildly successfull

and some rather surprising shots that I only realised during editing.

Anyway, after a few hundred shots of flying Swallows, most of which were blank, I moved on to the other hides, firstly finding a juvenile Blue Tit

and a passing Gadwall

but it was all quiet so few other opportunities but I couldn't resist a final few shots with the Sparrows around the feeders from the veranda - just House Sparrows - no Tree Sparrows surprisingly.

So a mildly successful few hours.

This session was with Tawny Owls - 25th June - at Kevin Robsons set-up at nearby Fen Drayton, the third year running for me, this time to concentrate on the Owlets.

A total of four have fledged and three posed together.

and one of the eldest with probably the latest to fledge showing the size difference.

While the mother only made a brief appearance, the four Owlets were on show almost continually for a couple of hours and, as Owlets do, kept us entertained amd at times amused.

Another enjoyable time with Owls.

Wednesday18th June and three of us were making our way northwards to the Selby area to a site for Little Owl photography that none of us had tried before. The sun followed us for the 2 1/2 hour drive and, when we arrived in the early afternoon, everything looked good.

The hide easily accomodated the three of us and to the left in the middle of the field was a large tree (oak I think) where the Little Owl nest was located. About mid-afternoon, the Owls decided to pay as a visit and visit the perches that were loaded with live mealworms.

First in was an adult that announced it's presence with a wing flap

and then one of the four youngsters also flew in.

Despite the side lighting form the bright sun, ( I am not a fan of side-lit photos unless for special effects), I managed to take around 1300 shots. Little Owls are so photogenic and, at times, highly amusing so my biggest problem was which to keep and which to post here so this is a summary.

Begging mum for food.

Being bombed by a Swallow

Siblings squabbling for the food.

The winner.

No more food here..

A quick summary of the afternoon - challenging due to the light conditions but, a successful visit. One problem for those that may wish to try this hide, it is set at an angle from the perches to the roost tree so the birds flew away from us. That made flight shots problematic.

I had been invited by a friend to join him for a day of hide photography at Tom Robinson's hides near Bourne Lincolnshire. The morning session was at the Wired Hide with a family of Kestrels. Well, this is wildlife and things do not always go to plan. The young had fledged and moved to the far end of the field, accompanied by the male and too distant for any photography.

After a time, the female flew in and stayed for a while, tearing apart a mouse

before flying off with it to feed to the youngsters.

Apart from one other visit, that was the sole action for the morning.

In the afternoon, Tom had arranged for us to photograph a Cuckoo in a  Reed Warblers nest in a private location.

The cuckoo was too large for the nest and it's gape seemed to be enormous although we soon got used to that is it was almost incessantly open , begging for food.

The Reed Warblers seemed to be feeding the Cuckoo chick every 5 minutes or so but it was insatiable.

as well as attending to the toilet requirements.

The chick was expected to fledge in a couple of days time so we were lucky to get the opportunty of witnessing the early life of a Cuckoo.

Later on, we needed to return to the farm and spent another couple of hours with the Kestels - still no young showing close but the female was collecting food to take to them remaining on the far side of the field.

Surprisingly, the male never came in.

I decided to re-visit Fowlmere RSPB on 11th June to see if I could manage photos of the Hobbies that apparently frequently visit. If that is the case, then someone forgot to tell them - a distant appearance for a few seconds!!!

This was an afternoon of waiting patiently for something to happen. The male Marsh Harrier put in a distant appearance and then flew off to hunt - no photos worth keeping there!!!

Later in the afternoon, a Goldfinch put in an appearance on a middle-distance bush - worth a shot

as did a Yellowhammer on the same bush- is it my imagination or are they getting quite scarce now.

And then the male Marsh Harrier returned after a successful hunt, calling up the female and, although distant and flying away, they completed a food pass.

with the male making a closer flypast with a stare that would make intended prey rather nervous.

And that was the sum total of the afternoons events.