SEOs, Mipits and Barwits

Every industry has its own jargon and acronyms and anyone working for the RSPB soon discovers the bird version. Having recently been immersed in web design meetings, I might  be forgiven for confusion at reports of record numbers of SEOs on Wallasea ( Short-eared owls not Search Engine Optimisers) and many non-birders would perhaps refer to me as a barwit or mipit for this! And all this rambling has been brought about by the success of a large wild bird cover area here on Wallasea.
I first blogged about this space, sown with a pollen and nectar mix  in late June, when it was full of wild flowers and buzzing insects providing food for the chicks of our farmland birds. Our friendly farm manager, Robert, has been most concerned that this area just inside the gate of our site would reflect on his housekeeping and bring accusations of poor land management. So let me put the record straight right now. At this time of year, when the rest of the farmland is fairly inhospitable to birdlife, this conservation patch is a magnet for birds. Seed eaters are having a feast, staying here when they would normally have moved off the island,and these seed eaters are not all feathered - the mice and vole population is also enjoying the extra rations.
It is this small furry larder that is bringing the most spectacular visitors. A wide spectrum of birds of prey are flocking to this space to hunt, from haughty harriers to miniscule merlin. But it is the short-eared owls that have caused most excitement lately. Last year we were privileged to provide a roost for up to four of these marvellous birds, but this year has seen an incredible increase, estimated at ten birds at the time of writing!
Short-eared owls are medium sized owls with mottled brown bodies, pale under-wings and yellow eyes. They are commonly seen hunting during the day, preying mainly on small rodents such as voles, along with the occasional small- to medium-sized bird. They hunt using a slow 'flap and glide' flight as they search low over vegetation. Each winter, there is an influx of continental birds (from Scandinavia, Russia, Iceland) to northern, eastern, and parts of central southern England, especially around the coastal marshes and wetlands. They are of European conservation concern and so are an Amber List species, so we are lucky to see them.
If you, like me,  count these birds as a new addition to your list, pause on your way to the wetlands car park and take in the bird spectacle by the gate. Huge flocks of corn buntings and finches are swirling around and sitting on the overhead wires and it shouldn't take too long a watch to be treated to a view of some of our larger visitors too. If you are lucky enough to get some good pictures, please add them to our gallery for everyone else to share .Here's one that  Wallasea Birder Jeff Delve was kind enough to send me.