It took the efforts of a low flying plane at 3.15 to reveal there were plenty of birds there after all with at least 60 Wigeon, Teal, Gulls, several Snipe and at least one Short-eared Owl including this dark individual (heavy crop) put up!
I was convinced a second Owl was present - seen well right of where this individual kept my attention and chatting to a guy who was nearer the action, there were definitely two shorties airborne! Just as well the plane did its stuff, there was no further sign at dusk!.....
Footnote - another late afternoon session the following day produced the male Hen Harrier, again distant and NO shorties at all!
