Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

NB - Whilst the purpose of this blog was initially designed to cover our nationally important wildfowl ringing activities, it now also features wildlife and work posts, explaining how we manage the NNR for both wildlife and people.

For daily sightings please visit our Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ldv_nnr (@LDV_NNR)

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Monday 18 January 2016

17/01/16 - SEO

Recently a Short-eared Owl has taken up residence at North Duffield Carrs, showing well and hunting at close range in the field behind the car park - one of the few dry grassy areas left above the floodline. The local small mammal population has been concentrated into the few remaining areas, so it was no surprise that the owl appeared to be hunting quite successfully. At the weekend an individual was also found at Thornton, roosting in a large Oak tree. Short-eared Owls are a medium sized largely brown owl, although they appear to be quite long winged as they quarter their hunting sites with a rather buoyant flight – seen well they appear stunning with their bright yellow eyes and piercing gaze, as pictured here


Large numbers of SEO’s can reach the UK in autumn as birds move out of Iceland and Europe to avoid the colder weather, many were seen last autumn arriving on the Yorkshire coast at Spurn Point, Flamborough and Filey during October. Many of these birds will now have moved further inland to winter before heading back again to their breeding sites in spring. Many thanks to local photographer Stephen Jones who supplied us with following images of the NDC bird hunting over the field adjacent to the car park.




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