Owl

Times of migration can bring strange birds to familiar places.
So up on the down this evening on my way up to check the cows and calves I spot something sitting on a fence post. Nine times out of ten its one of the local Buzzards. But not tonight. Tonights was a Short-eared Owl, that sat there in the fading light, about 150 yards away and started to preen. Dark blank centres for its eyes moving as its head twisted around, scanning all about it, including myself.
When did I last see one here? 24/11/1981. A long time.
My brother of course has them virtually calling down his chimney - but then that is Scotland for you.
Meanwhile the other birds there soldier on.
A Lapwing did an exocet impression yesterday - flying low and fast at an offending Magpie. I'm afraid it wont get rid of them that easily.
Down the meadows yesterday the first Garden Warblers began singing away - so now just waiting  for Reed Warblers and Whitethroats to get back to their territories.