SEO'S at Otmoor

After a flying visit down to Hampshire on family business yesterday, I thought I would pop into Otmoor on the way back to try and finally see my first Short Eared Owls for the year.  After many failed attempts at Brandon Marsh and failures on  my Scottish trip this summer, I was not optimistic.  However, as it was a very mild mid November day, the fresh air and stretch of legs after an hour's drive were a least to be a pleasant experience.  The first hundred metres did not disappoint with good views of a Buzzard busy on his thermals closely followed a few minutes later by a Red Kite.  The feeders did not have that much activity but some scattered seed a bit further on was attracting a fair bit of attention with many Chaffinch, Blue Tits,Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.  I greedily hung around hoping that something like a Brambling may appear in amongst the Chaffinch flock but, alas not this time.  As I ambled down the track heading towards the (newish) wetlands hide, I clocked a Kestrel and a Peregrine - I was at least having a good raptor day.  The view from the hide itself was not that inspiring so I continued back the way I came from and started down the footpath toward the reedbeds screens.  Halfway down I encountered a few birders looking at the distant horizon and immediately noticed what appeared like a bird of prey being mobbed by some corvids.  The other birders who had scopes confirmed that it was a Short Eared Owl and there were two others around as well.  Strangely enough, I was not that elated at the spot even though I hadn't seen a SEO for over a year, perhaps it was the fact that they were hundreds of metres away.  I decided at that point to head back to the car and back home to my birder's wife.  The way back to car did provide some closer views of the Owls including one being mobbed by a Kestrel.  All I need now this year is to try and see a Tawny, which is another owl species that has evaded me for several months.