5.30 am at Bolton Ings. It is just daylight, with the sun still a little way below the horizon. Mist rises eerily from the water and the shadows of various water birds can be seen in the gloom. For accompaniment we have a Song Thrush and a Common Whitethroat, singing away above the growing drone of squawking Black headed Gulls. Suddenly a Barn Owl glides effortlessly into view and crosses in front of us, left to right across our field of vision, following the bank of the Ings.
What could be better than that? One of the many benefits of Old Moor Wetlands that few people are privileged to see, and a moment I had to share. Huge thanks to Dave the Warden for picking us up at 4am in 3C temperature and almost pitch darkness and for guiding us through three magical hours of bird listening - and, eventually, watching!
Regards
Ian
Hi Ian, what a great memory! Thanks for sharing it with us all :)