Short Eared Owls at |Musselburgh

I first heard a few weeks ago that about twelve short eared owls had landed in Musselburgh. (Short eared owls are resident in the UK, but in the autumn and winter, the resident birds are joined by others coming over from Scandanavia). Since then every time I've visited the area, I've seen one of these magnificent, day hunting owls. Today though I was surrounded by them!

This photo is the best I could do,

and to be honest i was much more intent on enjoying the moment, than catching the birds on camera.

At one point four owls were chasing each other across the path in front of me, then they were diving down into the grass, possibly to feed on something they'd killed earlier. Really a\mazing to watch, and at such close quarters too!

Among lots of other birds, I was also delighted to see two long tailed ducks (and lots of goldeneye) over the sea wall and two waxwings (my first this winter!) in trees alongside the mouth of the River Esk.