The Journey North....

Picking up Red Kite in the way....a few of which within my home county, the first ones i've seen in a good while now, though there were plenty around Oxford.

Red Kite from the car, but it was in Hampshire (c) Ashley Howe

I met Stephen Menzie at about 16:15 in a junction layby....swapping my gear from car to car, realising i had forgotten a sleeping bag, seriously, how thick can you get?!

This was the first time i have seen Stephen since last summer, though we are constantly speaking to each other on MSN, together we headed to Frodsham Score where two Short-eared Owls were distant hunting over the far bank at dusk. Heading towards the exit, round the corner another was sat of a fence post infront of the car!

This Short-eared Owl appeared infront of the car, unfortunately evening light prevente dme from getting brilliant shots (c) Ashley Howe