Friday 16 November 2012

Rabbit Ings

4 Short-eared Owls hunting this afternoon. (Ralph Hibbert, Les Corral)

E-mail from Mick Birkinshaw
 
I have a dilemma, one that has been on my mind now for a while, how many voles are there on Rabbit Ings???
Does anyone out there in bird blog world have the answer, has anyone done a piece on The Abundance of Voles, Mice and Shrews on former Colliery Sites for Consumption by Short-eared Owls, Kestrels, Foxes, Stoats and Weasels.

The site is 70 hectares in size and we have had 2 broods of Kestrels feeding all Summer, then we have had the SEO's for about 2 months, plus all the other diners at the vole table. I welcome any comments serious as well as amusing. 
Lets lighten up these pages with peoples thoughts!!!!
 
I've met some more friendly people today, one from Barton on Humber, sorry didn't get your name? We had convivial dialogue over lashings of hot tea in 'Cafe Monckton,' after an afternoon stood out in the cold for most of the day. One new tea drinker, Andrew Smith from Wentworth and local Melvyn Plant from Cudeth sent in the attached pics.....more to come from today's soiree, I hope?

 
 
Thanks to all contributors to the Rabbit Ings blog.
Mick Birkinshaw
Rabbit Ings Country Park Project Officer
Groundwork Dearne Valley
Work 01226 740077
Mobile 07854 926199

2 comments:

Steve Denny said...

They stop breeding after October, so populations will start to decline now. They can, however, give birth to their first broods at just 33 days old, so hopefully there are still plenty left. You will know when the population has declined too far as the owls will then leave!!

Cliff Gorman said...

Thanks Steve, Mick will really appreciate your comments.