The big picture

An extraordinary capture of a Long-eared Owl in flight over a woodland is a fitting image for March, as the species’ territorial behaviour begins to peak in Britain and Ireland.

Viewing a Long-eared Owl from below is not most birders’ experience of the species, but some innovative camera work from James O’Neill has produced this spectacular image of a bird ghosting through a woodland under a starry night sky. Long-eared Owl is the most elusive and nocturnal of the five owl species present in Britain and Ireland (it is in fact the commonest in the latter nation, where Tawny Owl is absent). Early spring, however, can be one of the better times of year to locate one, with birds in Britain and Ireland beginning to stake out their territories in February and March.

During this time, males can be heard giving their low-pitched hoot, which is audible at some range. Birds will also perform their display flight – a zig-zag motion both above and below the canopy, interspersed by wing claps which increase depending on the levels of excitement. This is often undertaken by the male from a song post towards the female, though females will wing clap too.

Long-eared Owl is thinly distributed in Britain, with northern coniferous woodland the most populated areas, though the species will occupy scrubby downland and is probably under-recorded due to its elusive nature. In Ireland, birds are readily found in broadleaf woodland – something not seen so often in Britain due to the presence of Tawny Owl. Pairs prefer old corvid nests (though will nest on the ground) and usually occupy a new one each season within their territory. ■