Short-eared Owl - Beeley Moor

It was May 2016 when Short-eared Owl last featured on the blog, so no records in 2017 but I am pleased to report that Roger had a bird hunting on Beeley Moor yesterday evening. I commented that he must have been quite close to get the photos but he replied he was on 240x magnification! 
In March I had a brief sighting of an owl after dusk which was probably a Short-eared and I am aware of another bird photographed during that month so whether this is the same bird or another it's impossible to say but hopefully it will stay for some time.
First Cuckoo calling on Flash Lane this morning and several Pied Flycatchers and Redstart now singing in the woods in the valley, doubtless encouraged to move north by the beautiful weather over the last few days.  So spring is well and truly underway now with the first Swifts at Carsington today.

Short-eared Owl (© Roger Carrington)