Another hot day but a bonus evening Barn Owl!

Hot, summer days very often reduces 'bird' activity  apart from early mornings or evenings when it is more pleasant for both birds and birders.
During the week I have been endeavouring to obtain a photo of a Green Woodpecker visiting a garden birdbath and this morning at  5.30 a.m., as I was setting up the camera behind an open window the woodpecker suddenly appeared in the viewfinder before I was even ready or expecting it. It stayed drinking for about 30 seconds and I simply pressed the shutter release and hey presto a result. I have recently experimented with using an auto ISO facility and although not keen about adopting this method I was surprised to note the photos were either using ISO6400 or ISO3200.  I was pleasantly surprised!

I then decided to try for the juvenile Swallows near the horse paddock at the North Wall but there were no birds at all.  I stopped at the Salthouse and managed a few distant photos of a fishing Little Egret ...attracted mainly by the reflection.

Big splash but I didn't see a catch.

Two Spotted Redshanks made off from the Breech Pool leaving a lone Greenshank by the far bank...with low water levels I am hoping  a few more waders will arrive soon.

Distant Greenshank

Apart from this Reed Warbler there was little to report but as ever it is always pleasant to catch up with other birders-Owen M and Ian R.
 (Ian had driven over especially to photograph the Swallows but with the same result!)

I was however alerted to the fact that a Barn Owl was showing at about 8.45p.m. on a regular basis so a return was a 'must'.

There were many Sand Martins circling the reed bed preparing to roost....

..and then the Barn Owl but alas, very distant!

...but I was pleased to see it despite only being a photographic record shot!
                           

                   Good night....tomorrow is another day.