The return of the Little Owl at last.

I have been really worried that I have not seen or heard the Little Owls for some time.  Over the past fortnight, I have again heard them calling but still no sign of them though the foliage in the trees is thick.  Suddenly the last two nights, one of them has appeared back on the barn rooftops.  Not our own barn, but on the neighbours so not as close as I would have liked but I am not complaining.

Monday night 25 May

Little Owl (Athene noctua)...

Caught in flight ...

and almost caught in flight!

Landing on another barn,

 Tuesday 26 May

On yet another barn closeby being watched cautiously by a Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)...

As above though the Black Redstart obviously feels it is not in danger.

See also my Photodiary 

Joining up with 

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and 

My Corner of the World

South African birds again, this time with thanks to Patrick Miller.

Bar-throated apalis (Apalis thoracica).

Dark-backed weaver (Ploceus bicolor)...

As above.

Jackal buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus).

Pearl-breasted swallow (Hirundo dimidiata).

Collared sunbird (Hedydipna collaris).

Wing-snapping cisticola (Cisticola ayresii)...

As above.

Cape longclaw (Macronyx capensis).

See also my Photodiary 

Joining up with 

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and 

My Corner of the World

18/05/2020 Only birds seen around the garden or overhead.

Common Chaffinch male (Fringilla coelebs)...

As above female...

As above another male.

House sparrow male (Passer domesticus)...

As above female.

European greenfinch male (Chloris chloris)...

As above female...

As above male...

As above...

As above.

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) taking a bath...

I think this is a young bird...

As above...

As above...

That feels better.

Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) seen overhead.  There were 5 of them playing.  Presumably, parents and 3 well brought up youngsters, quite a feat.  The most I could get in one shot was only 3.

As above.

See also my Photodiary 

Joining up with 

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and 

My Corner of the World

09/05/2020 Photos from the Eastern Cape, South Africa

With thanks to Christelle who took these photos of birds in their garden during the lockdown at the beginning of May.

The Crowned hornbill (Tockus alboterminatus) or sometimes it seems to be called (Lophoceros alboterminatus),  A little confusing to say the least of it.

As above...

As above...

It looks like they are feeding young.  The youngsters stay with their parents for about 8 weeks so this would certainly be the end of their Autumn in South Africa...

As above...

As above.

This bird was taken on the same day, some discussion over ID, but I think it is one of the Weaver family that is either young or maybe some type of Leucism,

See also my Photodiary 

Joining up with 

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and 

My Corner of the World

Mrs Blackbird prepares for a date......

Day 45 of lock-down.

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)...

Mmmm the water is a bit low but I guess it will have to do...

Maybe deeper than I thought...

Splish splash...

Now to groom those feathers...

Trying to be a contortionist...

 Oops that feather is out of place...

Now a good stretch...

Right my friend, where did that husband of mine go to?

See also my Photodiary 

Joining up with 

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and 

My Corner of the World