Twitchers swoop to see rare owl spotted in isles garden
ONE of the world’s most elusive owls has been pictured in Scotland for the first time in a century
The Richardson’s Owl was photographed on Shetland where the last recording sighting was over 100 years ago in 1912.
It was given the name after Sir John Richardson the 18th-century Scottish naval surgeon, naturalist and Arctic explorer.
Due to its shyness and evasive reaction to human activities it is one of the least seen owls in both North America and Europe.
It is commonly known as the Tengmalm’s owl, after Swedish naturalist eter Gustaf Tengmalm, and also the boreal owl.
The extremely rare bird was pictured by John Coutts, 58, who spotted it yesterday in Tumblin on Shetland mainland.
Mr Coutts was alerted by a friend, Jackie Moar.
Mrs Moar said: “I woke up and saw the owl perched in a tree in my garden about 7.30am this morning.
“I didn’t know what kind of owl it was until I showed some bird watchers and they told me.
“I was really surprised because I just had no idea.”
When he saw the picture of the bird, Mr Coutts said he knew it was not a typical owl.
He sent the picture to his bird fanatic dad who immediately knew it was the rare Tengmalm’s Owl.
Mr Coutts said: “It’s a very rare owl. I think the last time one was said to be on Shetland was in 1912, so almost 100 years ago.
“It’s a small owl, about 10 inches long, and when I saw a picture of it on Facebook I knew it didn’t look like a normal owl. I sent the picture to my dad, who is a keen bird watcher, and he nearly fell off his seat.”