A slight surprise

You may have wondered what a Bengal Eagle Owl was doing at the British Bird of Prey Centre.

The main viewing area and displays all feature native British birds but there is a secret aviary hidden away from public view, which only special people (who pay) get to see. In there they have some non-native birds, some of whom will only stay there for a while. 

We saw Diego, an Argentinian Crested Caracara. They are apparently the smartest birds in the world. They were tried trained for displays but preferred to land and rummage in people's bags instead. Diego stays in the aviary by day but every evening he is taken home by a member of the staff who take it in turns to have a large bird of prey wander about their homes.

(Photo from eBird)

Then we were taken into another 'room' and asked if we could spot the bird. It took us a while.

(Photo WK Clifford (c) Australia Museum)

He's a Tawny Frogmouth who when alarmed goes into camouflage mode. He's not an owl but more closely related to nightjars.

And I've just discovered I am Covid positive! I came home last night croaking.

Go on, say it, you know you want to. "We told you not stop wearing your mask!" But it was only once and very few people were around. Phooey, phooey, phooey.

But only faintly positive.