Birds of the British Isles Barn Owl (Tyto alba) can spend a lot of time hunting from fence posts to conserve energy. With eye to eye contact, I felt a special connection here and without getting to close the owl was comfortable in my presence. I eventually backed away as the owl continued to listen for voles. Being mainly nocturnal, barn owls can be difficult to photograph in daylight and for many years I've wanted a worthy photo, eventually my patience paid off. This is the same owl as my previous photo and is probably a female denoted by the dark spots underneath it's wings. Homing in on a vole This image was taken soon after sunrise and in perfect light. It's nice to see some backlighting through the wing feathers. Hunting Barn Owl To me, the Barn Owl is one of our most special birds, hunting silently over rough grassland listening for the sound of a vole. Barn Owl hunting over reeds. Short Eared Owl hunting for voles Short Eared Owl, hunting for voles It's always a pleasure to Short Eared Owls hunting in daylight. We have seen a large influx of Short Eared Owls into the Eastern Coastal areas of Britain during November 2023. On one occasion five were visible to me at the same time. Close up and eye to eye contact with a short eared owl Composite image of a short eared owl as it dives for prey. Nuthatch Nuthatch, photo from our garden Nuthatch with attitude, this is a typical pose for these little birds. Nuthatch Reed Warbler Reed Warbler Yellowhammer Siskin Great Tit on Catkins. Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Crested Grebe. Coal Tit with reflection. Male Chaffinch on flowering gorse. Blue tit reflection Bearded Tit (or Reedling). Red Tailed, once one of the most endangered birds of prey in the UK after being hunted to near extinction by the early 20th century, a successful breeding programme has seen numbers steadily climb. Male Kestral, denoted by the grey head, whereas the females head is plain. Kingfisher returns to a perch. Female Kingfisher with a 'speared' catch. Female Kingfisher, I photographed this early one morning as a shaft of sunlight illuminated the bird. Male Kingfisher alights to a perch with a well earned meal. Goldfinch, these delightful little birds were all photographed from a hide in my back garden. I used carefully placed perches located near to a feeder and with a little patience got some nice images. Goldfinch on sloe berries Goldfinch Golfinches on thistle heads Goldfinches on Teasels. Goldfinch We are fortunate to sometimes have flocks of Goldfinches visit our garden resulting in occasional battles. Gannets fighting over a fish Gannets, this image was taken in May 2023. Fortunately this pair is recovering from Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) which has ravaged bird colonies throughout the UK. Traces of which can still be seen in the eyes. Nest Building Returning to the nest with building material, Interestingly, Gannets mate for life and renew their bond at breeding time. High Key image, by over exposing my camera the cloudy sky turns almost white and allows details in feathers.