While I was riding up the long hill, a short-eared owl was hunting over the fell. Possibly the male of a pair I saw a while ago. I watched till it went over a fold in the hill, then as I rode on it was sitting on a fence post near the road waiting for me!
Going down the other side, I was unaware of a rider behind me as I jinked and stopped to make sure a red squirrel sitting on the verge didn't decide to cross the road. I doubt the other rider even saw it.
After coffee and scone at the Hemmel (highly recommended), I set off back up the hill and saw 3 reds chasing each other about. And a second viewing of the SEO.
Most of the Upland Assemblage present and abundant.
And the sand martins are back!
