Owls

[Maydup]

We live on the edge of RSPB reserve, small woods to the west, open countryside to the east, river not far away.

Last night owls were really active making a huge amount noise. I've tried searching for call recordings online to identify them - I think they might have been Tawneys - were they hunting or calling each other? What was it all about do you thnk?

Can anyone recommended good sites for listening to owl calls?

[Milvus]

The RSPB site has recordings of all the owls http://www.rspb.org.uk/
Just look up each owl, the sound file is top left

[rowanwitch]

pairing up now for next year I think... also pop into the visitor centre and ask... they will know whats about

[Maydup]

I've checked the sound files on the RSPB site and feel sure they were Tawneys. I can't get to the visitors centre as the entrance is right round the other side of the site (about 8 miles away),and I have to go to work, but I have researched further and found the answer........

"The most vocal time for Tawny Owls is the autumn, when the young owls from the previous spring are all distributing away from their parental territories. All of these fit young Owls move from place to place in their quest to establish a territory of their own, in which they can hunt and eventually breed. They will inevitably, however, come up against many existing territories along the way, which is when the resident birds will call to defend their area against the new batch of intruders."

[redman41]

Fascinating and beautiful Birds, probably my favourites !

[rowanwitch]

thought I was...

Keeeeeewick sounds from the males a soft whooooo hoooo from the females makes the toowit tooowhooo sound if a pair are calling

[Maydup]

Yes, most impressive creatures.

We have wild rabbits living in the garden which probably attracts them at night too. I've seen barn owls many times but never a tawney.

[ladybirder]

Maidup sounds wonderful where you live, if you want a lodger I could make myself available at very short notice:-)
I have lovely memories of owls from my time living in the NYorks Dales. Lying in bed at night listening to the tawny owls calling to each other, watching the little owls hunting in the fields in front of the cottage during the day and one foggy day watching a short-eared owl hunting low over the rough grass on the tops of the moors. Don't get that in Hove:-(

[Maydup]

Lovely, lovely Yorkshire ladybirder, but at least you have the sea in Hove. I saw a friend this week who lives inland in a city and was telling me how much she misses the sea.

Now, how about a house swap for a few weeks each season. That would do us wouldn't it?!

[Chaffinch]

Definatly Tawneys, I get loads round here, and love to listen to them, though I've never seen one :( some nights it sounds like an orchestra....wonderful

Ladybirder you can come and stay with me I'm only up the road :)

[rowanwitch]

I got the sexes the wrong way round

[ladybirder]

< I got the sexes the wrong way round > Ooh that sounds interesting rowan!

House swap sounds good Maidup and Chaffinch I'll be with you before dark this evening, not fussy what we have for supper and I'll bring my binoculars:-)