A barn owl has been top on my list of wild animals to see (along with an otter) for years now, and I've tried loads of times to find one. Got lucky last week at Ham Wall and saw a barn own fly over us when we were stood looking at the rare River Warbler that appeared and got everyone excited. Got a couple of record shots but tbh I was just over the moon to have seen one. Then on the way back to the car park someone told us it was hunting in the next field, so we stopped and waited. A few mins later I saw it fly out over the field with its prey, and off it went into the distance.
Then we saw it again yesterday evening at Ham Wall, but it was far too late to get a shot (maxed ISO and shutter of about 1/20). I was able to watch it for a minute or so as it made its way up the field. Amazing birds, and won't forget that any time soon.