Lucky Seven!

Another new Little Owl territory was located tonight, taking my overall tally to 133 sites. It was located in pitch darkness down a muddy farm track in the middle of nowhere. Due to not being able to see my hand in front of my face the method I employed tonight was "playback". A laborious method of location that requires a lot of patience and very good hearing.

I selected an area that I hadn't visited before and therefore no previous owl records, it was as isolated as you can get near to where I live and far away from any light and noise pollution. I drove the Landrover right to the end of the track and turned around. The slow drive back found me stopping every 2/300 yards, I then played my Little Owl recording at the predetermined duration and within the protocol advised. It was then a matter of waiting to see if there was any response and on the seventh stop I got one!!!! The single owl called back on several occasions and at one point came very close but unfortunately I never saw it.

I will return again soon, only this time it will be in the daylight so I can have a good look around the area and maybe locate the nest tree and then maybe........some images?????