Aust Warth Super Shorties

Shortie flypast

Silhouette

Wingspan

Hunting closer

A fantastic location

Our final stop on a great days birding would be Aust Wath in South Gloucestershire. A well known spot for over wintering Short-eared Owls, its just a gamble whether they are out flying. We didn't have to worry for long as two were out hunting the salt marsh as we pulled up. The rough grassland is perfect for these mole hunting predators. Their long wings for botany flight always make them appear larger than they actually are.

At one stage there were three birds hunting at the same time before a battle commenced between one of the Owls and a Kestrel over a captured mole. The birds tussled and fought at an increasing height. The birds reached an amazing height before the Kestrel finally took the prize. 

Short-eared Owls are always a winter treat whilst we wait for spring to reach us.