|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 5:52:46 GMT
Post by westlandstokie on Jan 23, 2023 5:52:46 GMT
Last night at about 7pm I was in the kitchen and I heard an almighty commotion in the back garden…it sounded like a bird being attacked. I put on the garden lights and went outside and the noise was coming from a large tree at the bottom of the garden. I quickly nipped back inside and got a torch and shone it into the tree and saw what looked like a very large owl sitting in the tree and a magpie a few feet away from it going absolutely mental. My question is what sort of owl could it have been ? In the touch light it looked a grey colour and it was a big bird…at least 18”/24” tall. I shouted my wife and she came out and she saw it too. The most common owls in the UK are Barn Owls I believe but they are a sandy colour…any suggestions ?
|
|
|
Post by iancransonsknees on Jan 23, 2023 6:33:51 GMT
A badger with wings maybe?
|
|
|
Post by westlandstokie on Jan 23, 2023 6:44:09 GMT
A badger with wings maybe? I thought that was Paul McCartney ?
|
|
|
Post by felonious on Jan 23, 2023 7:22:48 GMT
Probably an Eagle Owl A few years back at the end of a run we were congregating around a friend's kitchen table when the last runner came in saying come outside quick there's an eagle. You can imagine the stick she got when the Red Kite was spotted overhead
|
|
|
Post by Northy on Jan 23, 2023 7:36:51 GMT
Tawny owls are the most common owl in the UK, a barn owl would prefer open fields, from the size it would probably be an Eagle owl.
|
|
|
Post by LL Cool Dave on Jan 23, 2023 7:47:30 GMT
I know a cracking owl sanctuary.
|
|
|
Post by musik on Jan 23, 2023 8:21:26 GMT
Last night at about 7pm I was in the kitchen and I heard an almighty commotion in the back garden…it sounded like a bird being attacked. I put on the garden lights and went outside and the noise was coming from a large tree at the bottom of the garden. I quickly nipped back inside and got a torch and shone it into the tree and saw what looked like a very large owl sitting in the tree and a magpie a few feet away from it going absolutely mental. My question is what sort of owl could it have been ? In the touch light it looked a grey colour and it was a big bird…at least 18”/24” tall. I shouted my wife and she came out and she saw it too. The most common owls in the UK are Barn Owls I believe but they are a sandy colour…any suggestions ? Was it the magpie's home? Was it pleased with the police and the torch light? 😉
|
|
|
Post by Orbs on Jan 23, 2023 8:28:29 GMT
There was a programme on last February called ‘Superb Owl’ - I quite like owls so imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be some game of American Football.
|
|
|
Post by westlandstokie on Jan 23, 2023 9:33:18 GMT
Tawny owls are the most common owl in the UK, a barn owl would prefer open fields, from the size it would probably be an Eagle owl. Tawny Owl is a good shout 👍 I just googled them and it says some can be a greyish colour…and they like to live and hunt in an area with plenty of woodland and cover…which matches perfectly where I live as we have lots of open green areas some of which backs onto a golf course…I really hope I see it again it was awesome.
|
|
|
Post by xchpotter on Jan 23, 2023 10:51:52 GMT
Last night at about 7pm I was in the kitchen and I heard an almighty commotion in the back garden…it sounded like a bird being attacked. I put on the garden lights and went outside and the noise was coming from a large tree at the bottom of the garden. I quickly nipped back inside and got a torch and shone it into the tree and saw what looked like a very large owl sitting in the tree and a magpie a few feet away from it going absolutely mental. My question is what sort of owl could it have been ? In the touch light it looked a grey colour and it was a big bird…at least 18”/24” tall. I shouted my wife and she came out and she saw it too. The most common owls in the UK are Barn Owls I believe but they are a sandy colour…any suggestions ? Based on description, unlikely to be a barn owl. They are not a big owl and the overriding thing you get from them, especially at night, when they are sat on a fence post is that they look almost white and have a celestial type glow about them…..bit like the lad after he’s had his Ready Brek. I love owls and all other birds of prey. Went to an owl sanctuary down my way with talks and they explain how they turn their heads and why they have different coloured eyes which is to coincide with the hemisphere they live in to maximise light or not coming into the eye. Absolutely fascinating creatures.
|
|
|
Post by musik on Jan 23, 2023 14:57:12 GMT
Owls - wonderful creatures.
|
|
|
Post by somersetstokie on Jan 23, 2023 17:14:01 GMT
Tawny owls are the most common owl in the UK, a barn owl would prefer open fields, from the size it would probably be an Eagle owl. Tawny Owl is a good shout 👍 I just googled them and it says some can be a greyish colour…and they like to live and hunt in an area with plenty of woodland and cover…which matches perfectly where I live as we have lots of open green areas some of which backs onto a golf course…I really hope I see it again it was awesome. The behaviour pattern of this bird seems to suggest a Tawny Owl, who are a relatively passive species. I note that the one you saw seems to have been happy to stay put in its chosen spot, despite the close attention of the Magpie, and was outwardly unruffled. Tawnies even prefer to hunt passively, and rather than fly round and about, are happy to sit on their perch and wait for something edible to pass by underneath!
|
|
|
Post by questionable on Jan 23, 2023 18:25:39 GMT
We’re lucky enough to stand out most nights and hear them calling to one another, quite often get sparrow hawks sitting in the back garden and there’s loads of buzzards very close to us.
Last year we were sitting in the rear garden and there was an almighty whoosh followed by leaves and feathers flying about, it was a buzzard swooping on the pigeons that were nesting in our cherry blossom, awesome sight.
Last year we were treated to red kites close to us, massive amazing birds, we actually followed them and I got the wife to photograph them , when we looked at the photos they looked remarkably like my wife’s thumb.
|
|
|
Post by felonious on Jan 23, 2023 18:32:25 GMT
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 18:44:27 GMT
Post by marylandstoke on Jan 23, 2023 18:44:27 GMT
That six course tasting menu sounds off the chain and seemed pretty darn good value for what it is. If I’m home for a game I usually head back to Chester or Manchester but I wouldn’t mind giving this place a try.
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 18:49:57 GMT
via mobile
Post by questionable on Jan 23, 2023 18:49:57 GMT
That six course tasting menu sounds off the chain and seemed pretty darn good value for what it is. If I’m home for a game I usually head back to Chester or Manchester but I wouldn’t mind giving this place a try. Never heard of it but definitely consider for the wife’s birthday one year, we’ll be in St Lucia in a few weeks for her birthday and just looking on trip advisor for a few restaurants I can look at booking for her birthday, she hates fish restaurants so it’s kind of hard.
|
|
|
Post by RichieBarkerOut! on Jan 23, 2023 20:04:24 GMT
A word of caution about tawny owls, they have been known to attack people (photographers in particular, and it has nothing to do with using a flash). It's thought that they can become extremely aggressive if you go near their nest at the wrong time of year, and they go for the eyes. People have lost eyes to tawny owls, so although the circumstances where they may attack are rare, they must not be treated as harmless.
|
|
|
Post by thehartshillbadger on Jan 23, 2023 20:28:24 GMT
A word of caution about tawny owls, they have been known to attack people (photographers in particular, and it has nothing to do with using a flash). It's thought that they can become extremely aggressive if you go near their nest at the wrong time of year, and they go for the eyes. People have lost eyes to tawny owls, so although the circumstances where they may attack are rare, they must not be treated as harmless. I’m glad I live in Hartshill, it’s totally devoid of any avarian species at this time of year! I do love birds though👀
|
|
|
Post by alsagerstokie on Jan 23, 2023 20:32:06 GMT
I would go Tawny Owl as the most likely. Not seen too Often Tawnys as with LEO the most nocturnal as stated the most common.
Wouldn't be LEO's or Short Eared and too big to be Little Owl.
Cracking sight when you do see one.
Barn Owls make a screeching sound the Tawnys hoot.
Im Also glad a few other members know thier stuff about Owls and we should have more conversations.
Im over due on Photographing Short Eared Owl currently eludeing me.
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 21:15:40 GMT
via mobile
Post by thehartshillbadger on Jan 23, 2023 21:15:40 GMT
I would go Tawny Owl as the most likely. Not seen too Often Tawnys as with LEO the most nocturnal as stated the most common. Wouldn't be LEO's or Short Eared and too big to be Little Owl. Cracking sight when you do see one. Barn Owls make a screeching sound the Tawnys hoot. Im Also glad a few other members know thier stuff about Owls and we should have more conversations. Im over due on Photographing Short Eared Owl currently eludeing me. Was an interesting bit on Winterwatch about owls. That’s as far as my knowledge goes unfortunately but it showed me how to spot the different species and like you say with my very limited knowledge it sounds like a Tawny.
|
|
|
Post by Bagwash on Jan 23, 2023 21:24:28 GMT
My Missus has got an owl she keeps in the kitchen....its a Teat.
Sorry...
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 21:25:43 GMT
via mobile
Post by thehartshillbadger on Jan 23, 2023 21:25:43 GMT
My Missus has got an owl she keeps in the kitchen....its a Teat. Sorry... The owd uns are the best shag👍🏻
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 21:28:48 GMT
via mobile
Post by questionable on Jan 23, 2023 21:28:48 GMT
I would go Tawny Owl as the most likely. Not seen too Often Tawnys as with LEO the most nocturnal as stated the most common. Wouldn't be LEO's or Short Eared and too big to be Little Owl. Cracking sight when you do see one. Barn Owls make a screeching sound the Tawnys hoot. Im Also glad a few other members know thier stuff about Owls and we should have more conversations. Im over due on Photographing Short Eared Owl currently eludeing me. Interesting now we know the ones we listen to are tawny owls as it's a hooting. We’re now buying certain types of bird food apparently suited for certain birds, Finch/Robin etc varieties personally not sure it’s worth the cost opposed to a general mix.
|
|
|
Post by NassauDave on Jan 23, 2023 21:30:06 GMT
Was it Woy Hodgson?
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 23, 2023 21:43:15 GMT
Post by westlandstokie on Jan 23, 2023 21:43:15 GMT
Tawny Owl is a good shout 👍 I just googled them and it says some can be a greyish colour…and they like to live and hunt in an area with plenty of woodland and cover…which matches perfectly where I live as we have lots of open green areas some of which backs onto a golf course…I really hope I see it again it was awesome. The behaviour pattern of this bird seems to suggest a Tawny Owl, who are a relatively passive species. I note that the one you saw seems to have been happy to stay put in its chosen spot, despite the close attention of the Magpie, and was outwardly unruffled. Tawnies even prefer to hunt passively, and rather than fly round and about, are happy to sit on their perch and wait for something edible to pass by underneath! Yes it was definitely a laid back character…even when I shone my torch on it…it didn’t move…it just looked at me.
|
|
|
Post by somersetstokie on Jan 23, 2023 22:47:27 GMT
You could do well to look out for your Tawny /Wood Owl at other times of the day. They tend to roost in the open if there is no convenient hole in a trunk to use. Their habit in such cases is to sit on a branch but right back against the trunk and may stay there for several hours. The Owls are well camouflaged by their mottled plumage and can be very difficult to spot until you know they are there.
|
|
|
Post by desman2 on Jan 24, 2023 0:45:54 GMT
It would be a Tawny Owl. We ha one that used to perch on our fence at the back. It certainly cleared up the rat problem that one of our neighbours caused. They are also the ones that hoot. Alot of people think its the white Barn Owl that hoots but they shriek.
|
|
|
Owls
Jan 24, 2023 0:55:24 GMT
Post by FbrgVaStkFan on Jan 24, 2023 0:55:24 GMT
There was a programme on last February called ‘Superb Owl’ - I quite like owls so imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be some game of American Football. God that was fowl.
|
|
|
Post by danceswithclams on Jan 24, 2023 1:50:42 GMT
What were Barn Owls called before the existence of barns?
|
|
|
Post by iancransonsknees on Jan 24, 2023 5:04:57 GMT
What were Barn Owls called before the existence of barns? Homeless Owls
|
|