The fair was very busy and packed with interesting stands, which has given me lots of new ideas of where to travel to next. I was particularly taken with a trip to see polar bears on snow mobiles in Svalbard so I'll be getting itineraries and prices together for this so I will be able to take a group there in 2017. (Let me know if you want to join me!)
While I was there I bumped into Miranda Krestovnikoff, president of the RSPB and her husband Nick and children and chatted to Bill Oddie too! And I got lots of information on different hides and lens covers for my cameras.
When I got back to my home in Yorkshire late on Sunday afternoon the kestrels were waiting for me. So I put some food out for them on a post and watched them eating their food while I ate my own at the kitchen table!
I had put out a whole dead rabbit for the stoats before I left for the weekend which they had devoured in two days. The young stoats are starting to get territorial now and chasing each other. It wasn't long before one appeared to feed.
Next, the sparrowhawk swooped into the garden and chased the garden birds. It has taken to running under the bushes to flush out the flocks of tree sparrows that congregate underneath the bird feeders. A young sparrow took flight and the sparrowhawk followed it. It arched round in a circle to try to get to a dense holly bush, but the sparrowhawk was too quick and while flying upside down grabbed it before it could reach cover. I dashed for my camera to photograph and video it out of the bedroom window. It gobbled it down as if it was just a snack.
Tree sparrows are in decline nationally and I have quite a stronghold of them around my gallery - about 30 pairs. So I have got a dead pigeon out of my freezer and will try and start feeding it to this sparrowhawk to distract it from my precious flock!
Later that evening, I went down to the local badger sett that I visit each night to put down some dog biscuits. I have a barn owl nest box there too and the adult pair has raised 5 chicks already this season and are now sitting on their second brood of eggs. I put out food for them too. A barn owl screeched angrily at me as I arrived, clearly annoyed that I hadn't feed them the previous day as I was down at the Bird Fair. It flew over my head nearly mobbing me. As I ducked I saw that it was one of the fledged chicks. I didn't see the adult female I suspect she was keeping her warm and sheltering from the strong arctic winds.There is definitely an autumn feel in the air now.
As I crouched near one of the badger holes a badger popped out to see what the fuss was about. I threw it a handful of dog biscuits and then I backed off and climbed back over the fence.
I saw two more young barn owls quartering the valley, practising hunting, hovering and then stalling in the wind if they thought they heard a movement. I made a vole-like squeak and they both made a bee-line in my direction. They circled overhead confused at this 6 foot 2 inch 'vole' making the noise.
As I approached my car a roe buck sprang from the hedge barking its alarm call before pronking away.
As I arrived home 3 tawny owls were feeding just 6 metres from my living room window. They are coming earlier and earlier each night as it is getting darker sooner. Last night they were here at 8.50pm.
It is fascinating planning exotic trips abroad, but there's nothing quite like your local wildlife that I know so well and has become so accustomed to my presence and I was delighted to have seen so much in such a short space of time.
