{"id":2815,"date":"2016-01-13T22:16:38","date_gmt":"2016-01-13T22:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/?p=2815"},"modified":"2020-04-06T11:12:19","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T11:12:19","slug":"lunt-meadows-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/?p=2815","title":{"rendered":"Lunt Meadows"},"content":{"rendered":"<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2803 size-full aligncenter\" title=\"Short-eared Owl hunting at LWT Lunt Meadows\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004.jpg\" alt=\"Short-eared Owl hovering over the rough grass\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_1004-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>A rare occurrence this winter &#8211; a sunny day and the opportunity to visit somewhere new the Lancashire Wildlife Trust <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lancswt.org.uk\/reserves\/lunt-meadows\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u><span style=\"color: #0066cc;\">Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve<\/span><\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past few months the reserve has developed a reputation as being one of the best places to watch owls hunting over the flood meadows of the River Alt. However on arrival it quickly became clear the reserve was considerably larger than I&#8217;d expected. In addition the Boxing Day floods had led to the river overflowing its banks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2811 size-full aligncenter\" title=\"One of many Coots in the various pools on site.\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797.jpg\" alt=\"Coot amongst the reedbeds at Lunt Meadows\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0797-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Keen to see what could be found it was time to go for a wander around. Plenty of Coots on the pools and the usual Teal. Marsh Harrier overhead, at least 3 Buzzards, Kestrels, Stonechats but no sign of any Water Voles.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2827 size-full\" title=\"Note the river of mud down the centre of the path. A common theme this winter.\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/P1060411-2.jpg\" alt=\"Grass footpath complete with river of mud leading to one of the viewing screens\" width=\"395\" height=\"264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/P1060411-2.jpg 395w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/P1060411-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/P1060411-2-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/P1060411-2-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2828 size-full\" title=\"Lapwings spooked by a female Marsh Harrier\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0765-2.jpg\" alt=\"Lapwings a few of several hundred on site.\" width=\"395\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0765-2.jpg 395w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0765-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0765-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0765-2-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0Access to the viewing screens was a bit tricky.<\/td>\n<td>\u00a0Plenty of Lapwings, sadly\u00a0no Golden Plover.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2810 size-full\" title=\"Not difficult to appreciate why they're also known as the Ghost Owl.\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910.jpg\" alt=\"Barn Owl flying over Lunt Meadows\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0910-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a03.30pm and the first Barn Owl appears<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2808 size-full\" title=\"A &quot;ghost&quot; silently hunting above the meadows.\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924.jpg\" alt=\"Barn Owl quartering the meadows\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0924-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0and shortly after another hunting over the field adjacent to the car park.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2807 size-full\" title=\"Difficult to beat the sight of a Barn Owl quartering a meadow in the fading light of a winters day\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932.jpg\" alt=\"Difficult to beat the sight of a Barn Owl quartering a meadow in the fading light of a winters day\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0932-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stunning birds especially when viewed against the dark backdrop of the woodland edge.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2805 size-full\" title=\"One of at least 3 Short-eared Owls on the lookout for voles.\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992.jpg\" alt=\"One of at least 3 Short-eared Owls on the lookout for voles.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0992-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Whilst amongst the reedbeds to the southern end of the reserve the Short-eared Owls were out hunting.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2804 size-full\" title=\"If the eyes really are a window to the soul the last thing seen by this particular vole must be pretty scary\" src=\"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995.jpg\" alt=\"Short-eared Owl diving into the long grass\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995.jpg 800w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSC_0995-144x96.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Not looking good for one of the local voles.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>3.30pm and the first Barn Owl appears&#8230;. Whilst amongst the reedbeds to the southern end of the reserve the Short-eared Owls were out hunting. <span class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"more-link btn btn-transparent\" href=\"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/?p=2815\">Read More &#8230;<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[276,572,570,573,569,115],"class_list":["post-2815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birds","tag-barn-owl","tag-coot","tag-lancashire-wildlife-trust","tag-lapwings","tag-lunt-meadows","tag-short-eared-owl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2815"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2815\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6481,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2815\/revisions\/6481"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}