Listen out for wise old owls
Peaceful scene in Killearn
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Most of us have probably sauntered through woods during daylight, unaware of the presence of roosting tawny owls for they can so easily melt into the background due to their heavily mottled plumage and their ability to freeze.
Indeed, the hitherto unknown presence of a roosting owl in woodland is often given away by the racket created by other small birds noisily mobbing it.
Such small woodland birds definitely regard owls as enemies to be harried. Thus, if a roosting owl is discovered, all sorts of birds may gang together and mob it so ferociously that its easiest option is to simply re-locate.
However, continuing the theme of anthropomorphism, it is perhaps the large, round eyes of tawny owls that most attract our attention and indeed which attribute these particular birds with a reputation for sagacity.
Those eyes are dark brown and seem particularly deep, further conveying the image of wisdom.
However, that said, because they are so nocturnal, the fact is that not many people see owls frequently.
Much more often they are likely to hear them. The familiar ‘too-wit- toowoo’ is, I suppose, a rather haunting sound and may induce in the mind of the listener a suspicion of a presence of wandering spirits.
However, the loud, screeching ‘kee-wick’, heard close by on a dark night can, seem bloodcurdling and may well be a cause of hairs on the back of the neck suddenly prickling!
Tawny owls, essentially woodland Stirling, FK8 2DW.
You can also log on to our website at www.stirling observer.co.uk and send your picture using the“send your pics”link. birds, have nevertheless taken well to our towns and cities, especially to those that are especially green!
Not only are they able to find suitable nesting sites in mature parkland or even garden trees but there are plenty of rodents present to keep them busy, not to mention the likes of roosting sparrows.
To many folk, the silent presence of an owl, its lightly coloured underparts caught in the glow of street lighting, can be a slightly unnerving sight.
Apart from their ability to see well in low lighting conditions, owls have another vital weapon in their armouries.
A soft fringing of feathers on the edges of their wings means they fly so silently that their victims literally do not hear an attacking owl coming. Wham, bam and you’re dead!
Add to that a remarkably welltuned sense of hearing and lethal talons and you have an exceptionally well armoured predator. There are two quite distinct variations on a colour theme in the tawny owl population, known as the grey and brown phases.
Tawnies are comfortably our commonest owls.
Long-eared owls, even more nocturnal by nature, are also even more anonymous, generally favouring relatively isolated woodland, their voices low and some would say, moaning.
On the other hand, short-eared owls are surprisingly perhaps, more active during daylight hours, usually favouring open moorland or coastal habitats where they hunt for voles.
Their eyes are a piercing yellow. As recently said, their numbers here will
Please make sure that when your are sending your images you include your name, address and contact details and a little piece of information about your picture. soon be augmented by birds arriving from Scandinavia.
Sadly, what might be argued to be the most beautiful of our owls, the barn owl, is in serious decline due perhaps, to the destruction of habitat as farming methods change.
Its plumage is often conservatively described as buff and grey with white underparts. I much prefer to describe it as gold and silver, offset by those starkly white underparts!
With varying degrees of success, many organisations are trying their best to help a barn owl recovery by erecting nest boxes. There are few sights to match that of a hunting barn owl at dusk or dawn, as it floats ghoulishly through the gloaming … all aglow! There is one other British owl. The little owl, which is no bigger than a song thrush, was introduced to southern areas of Britain from Europe in the nineteenth century.
Little owls have colonised much of England and in recent years have established themselves in southern Scotland too.
A few years ago, I was awakened one night by the calling of a little owl but have not heard one since.
You might possibly hear owls – most likely tawny owls – during these autumnal nights.
Fear not, they are just communicating with other owls!