This photo was taken at about 7:30 on Saturday morning, near the sledging field. It was in fresh snow and was about 12 inches at its widest point. Most likely it was a bird about to take off – two feet and tail feathers possibly – or have we received a close encounter of some other kind?
PARWICH.ORG 
Mike G
Were there tracks towards the photo or away from it? I agree it looks like tail feathers and two feet. Coming or going is a the question to answer. It is a bit too far for an extra terrestrial dicky bird to fly! On the other hand it may have been a raptor picking up prey.
JMG
Thanks Mike,
There were no other tracks around it, so it could well have been some raptor swooping down.
I think it must have been pretty fresh because I went back for another look about 30 minutes later the wind had completely erased it.
This image suggests that it could possibly be an owl landing briefly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cameronrognan/3752962873/
And this picture illustrates how it might produce the pattern:
http://abundancesecrets.com/motivational-posters/index.php?item=3508518