Today has certainly, for me, been exciting. I took Tilly out on our usual morning walk, I was not sure where to go as it was raining a little when I left. I decided for a change to walk towards Markstone cottages and towards Hambledon hill. I guessed the river bridge was still out of action and I found out later the meadow was still flooded and was impossible to get across to the other side.

As I headed towards the hill by the cottages I saw a white bird drift across the field I realised it was a Barn Owl and I spent quite sometime watching it as it hunted across the field. I only had a short lens on and it was still fairly dark. I did take a picture as a record, another sighting in a different place, I’ve been very lucky with my sightings lately. As I was watching the Owl I spotted some Roe deer coming out of the woodland, there were at least eight grazing. I walked onto the base of the hill I spotted a large bird flying over and although the light wasn’t good I could see it was a Red Kite by it’s forked tail.

The sheep have returned to the hill so unfortunately Tilly won’t be able to have a run on there for a while, still we can enjoy a walk up there.

The weather mid morning turned sunny and I decided just to have a short walk around the village to see what was about. I haven’t done much wildlife photography for a little while and I need some practice, so I set off down the lane hoping to see some birds or mammals. I wasn’t disappointed, I nearly missed the Roe deer in a field alongside the path as they blended in so well but there were four there quietly grazing.

The small birds are difficult to capture they are always on the move or in the middle of the hedge but I did manage to get a few pictures although I spotted a few species that I didn’t get pictures of, a Tree creeper, Jay, Blue tits, Magpie, Long Tailed Tits to name a few. It always surprises me what there is so close to home.

The highlight of my walk was when I was nearly home, going up the lane I looked over a small field that has no rights of way on it so it is fairly quiet and I spotted a lovely dog Fox making his way across the field, I was really excited as the light was good and I had my long lens there was no excuse not to get a picture of him. When he looked towards me it was a bonus he had lovely clear eyes that sparkled!