OWLS

There are five native owl species in the UK: Barn Owl, Little Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Short-Eared Owl and Tawny Owl. The Long-Eared Owl is the only one I've not seen in the wild. Owls are such beautiful birds of prey.

Barn Owl.

At certain times of year it's possible to see owls in the daylight. In the summer, if a nesting pair have young, they'll be flying around hunting a lot more to feed their brood.

It Was This Wide!

I love the way its beautiful wings are spread out and how you can even see the sun in its eye. This Barn Owl has been ringed.

A Magical Moment

This was a very special close encounter because the owl didn't see me hiding behind the hedge as it flew along just the other side of it.

Takeaway Dinner.

Dusk is the best time to see Barn Owls hunting for their dinner.

Gust Of Wind.

This was a very special encounter with a Short-Eared Owl in winter. I was sitting below the height of the riverbank in the shadows, when this beauty landed on the post on the other side of the river. For about 15 wonderful minutes it stayed perched there, occasionally preening itself.

Tawny Owlet Branching.

This is when the young owlets are ready to leave the nest but are unable to fly and fledge. They sit on the branches close to the nest and wait for their wings to fully develop. The adults will continue to feed them during this time. It was quite a thrill to see this youngsters on my forest walk.

Other species found outside the UK

An Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) eyed us up as we were leaving Bandhavgarh National Park, India after our first day on safari.

Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) having a daytime snooze.

Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) blending in with the wood very well.