Juvenile Long- eared Owl and Leverett Hare at Strumpshaw

On Sunday 9th July, a trip to Strumpshaw RSPB was in order after it was reported that LEOs had bred and a juvenile Long- eared Owl was being seen regularly around the reception area. I arrived at 6.30pm and saw Rob H, David H., Justin L. and & David R. & his wife. Looking very near reception, a young Leverett Hare leaped out from the verge and started eating grass half way back and continued this for next 30 minutes or so. Still no sign of the Owl and by 8.30pm it was looking if we might miss out on seeing it. Until Justin L. who had been by the hide was walking very purposely away, I followed and we crossed the road and into the overflow park where the fine juvenile Long- eared Owl was seen along the far north end on a post. Walking carefully up to the car and I managed to get a few shots until it flew to a closer post flushed itself up then looked around and then at us and then it flew to a post further along before finally flying back north and then out of sight.