Hi and welcome to my Blog, my name is Paul Riddle and I live in south Leicestershire, UK. Back in August 2007 my quest began to locate as many local Little Owl territories as possible. The driving force was a reported decline in the uk numbers so I thought I would do my bit and conduct a study in my area. After 7 years and countless hours out in the field I have detected over 200 different sites. With a thirst for a greater understanding of the owls a more comprehensive monitoring and nest box programme then commenced. This also now includes monitoring the local and very sparse population of Barn Owls, please pop back occasionally and catch up with the life and times of my owls and any other wildlife that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Another new Tawny site.

Through my networking grapevine I'd had the heads up on a potential Tawny Owl site, the exact location was somewhat vague but because I didn't know of any birds of this species in the vicinity I just had to go and investigate.

Three times I drove slowly with windows wound down along the entire length of the lane, I did have a brief gimps of a Barn Owl and two separate sightings of Little Owl but no Tawny Owl. On the fourth return I did eventually have some luck, initially I was drawn to the alarm calls of a Blackbird (always a good indication that something is amiss). I parked up in one of the many gateways along this lane and then listened...... On the far side of the road was a tiny spinney, on the periphery Great Tits and Chaffinches could be seen, they had "mobbed up" with the Blackbird and were all being very vocal. They seemed agitated, this was typical of a scene I'd witnessed on many occasions before when an owl (usually Tawny) is close by.

The commotion continued for five minutes, the "mob" grew in numbers and species, Blue Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Robin joined in. Then I spotted a movement within the dense ivy, it was considerable in size, it was a Tawny Owl! The Tawny then made a dash for it across the road, it was closely pursued by far more birds than I'd first thought we there, some thirty or so?  The Tawny landed in a tree and then disappeared into a large cavity, the baying mob of finches and tits hung around for a few minutes before they finally dispersed. During this calming off period I took the opportunity to re-position the car and get out the camera. 

The owl did show again after a wait of around fifteen minutes, to say I was over the moon with my views of the bird would be a gross understatement, they were brilliant!!


The owl perched on the edge of the crack in the tree for what seemed an aged, in reality it was probably around 30 seconds but it was time enough for me to rattle off a load of frame filling images.

So that is now two new Tawny Owl sites that have offered some excellent roadside views in the last few of weeks. Credit for this last site must go to Shani who came up with the goods again, she's getting rather good at this!

Just a short post, catch up again soon............




10 comments:

  1. Stunning looking Tawny. I love those big talons on display too. By the sounds of it the Tawny was hunting in the daylight, perhaps due to big brood?

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    1. Yes a glorious looking bird, I thought you may like those talons Doug! I agree, the time is just right for a demanding and hungry brood that need feeding hence being out in the day.

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  2. Absolutely amazing, Paul. Fabulous images! I wouldn't want to argue with those talons - they look to be incredibly sharp. I look forward to seeing more from you from this site.

    I could do with a Shani or two!!

    Best wishes- - - - Richard

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    1. Shani has proved in a very short time to be worth her weight in gold, initially a new Little Owl site, then a Barnie and now a Tawny!! Do you want to rent her and her night vision goggles out????

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  3. A baying mob of finches !!! Sounds more scary than those talons Paul. Fabulous account......and the image aint bad either.
    John

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  4. Have you seen the damage a flock of finches can do??? I'd opt to take on those talons any day!! Cheers for your comment Johnny....

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  5. Another stunning image buddy, must say your getting quite good at this photography lark mate...............lol

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  6. Cracking image as ever Paul!!

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