Owls... When, where & how?

[Tifstorey]

Hello folks,

For a project i'm currently working on, i'm in need of owl recordings. For the last week i've been out and about trying to find some but haven't been able to even hear them in the far distance. I've even called some local bird watchers to find out if they knew of any, some of whom did and pointed me in the right direction, but unfortunately even then i didn't see/hear any.

Call me stupid for not going to a sanctuary and recording them there, but this will be a much more fulfilling recording if i capture them wild.

Question is, what time are owls most active? What type of area do they stay in mainly? Are they even active at this time of year?

Most nights i've been on my own so i've been very quiet aswell as patient but sitting in a cold wood for hours at 2am on your own isn't one of the best ways to spend an evening.

Look forward to hearing some tips

Cheers,

[wildmanofthewoods]

Hello, i've spent many an hour watching owls and have been fortunate most years to see all 5 resident owl species. My advice would be to go for the Tawny owl as they are ceratainly the most vocal and widespread, chances are you have a pair close to home. Try a wood at dusk and call them , immitating their call is actually very easy and they most often will call back, if they're there that is. You don't actually have to be very good, they are really terrortorial at this time of year. Don't over do it tho' they're not stupid and will stop returning your call after a while. You may even be lucky and get a sighting as they often come to investigate where the intruder is... good luck al.

[lol geoff]

Our local Tawnies make the most noise from about November untill January. Ocasionally you'll hear them during the rest of the year but not that often.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Tawny Owls will have young now so will probably be silent for much of the time until late May/June.

Cheers,

Adam

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by lol geoff

Our local Tawnies make the most noise from about November untill January. Ocasionally you'll hear them during the rest of the year but not that often.

That's my experience as well, they are early breeders.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Last weekend when i was fishing the Tawnys were very vocal all through the night I really think you just had to find a area of woodland that is pretty un-disturbed and you'll find Tawnys

[bounce]

Every time I've been camping I've heard tawnys close by especially at Inverranan, Scotland, there apears to be at least 3 near by allthough I don't get out of my tent I lie awake for hours just listening to them. My local patch
Moore Nature Reserve has a pair if you know where they are you'll see them everytime.

[Tifstorey]

Thanks for the replies all.

The only place that was recommended to me was a local park. I didn't pick the greatest of nights to go (Friday night..) as there was a lot of activity/noise so i guess that was the reason they weren't there.

The only other method i used was to drive into isolated countryside/woodlands, park up and walk around quietly for 20 minutes or so at each spot. Unfortunately that hasn't worked, although listening back on an earlier recording i think i've got a faint owl in the far far distance. I'm most likely hearing something different, and in either case it doesn't work for what i'm needing it for.

I did get some nice recordings of some Lapwings and Snipes though for which i'm thankful for the long cold patient sit-outs i did. Plus it gave me a nice taster to go out and get some even better recordings of some of these birds.

Any weird and wonderful bird calls (that can be found in Britain ) that anyone can recommend? Interested in getting a library of sounds together.

Once again, thanks for the replies.

[wildmanofthewoods]

"Any weird and wonderful bird calls (that can be found in Britain ) that anyone can recommend? Interested in getting a library of sounds together. "quote tifstorey


Booming Bitterns
The Yaffle of the Green Woodpecker
The call of a Puffin
The call of a Dabchick, Love it.
Eider chatter
Black mimickery
A cuckoo calling even the "chuckle"of the female
The strange call of the Woodcock it sounds like a whistle followed by a frog weird!
I hope these help , sorry if they're late.

[wildmanofthewoods]

Originally Posted by wildmanofthewoods

"Any weird and wonderful bird calls (that can be found in Britain ) that anyone can recommend? Interested in getting a library of sounds together. "quote tifstorey


Booming Bitterns
The Yaffle of the Green Woodpecker
The call of a Puffin
The call of a Dabchick, Love it.
Eider chatter
Blackbird mimickery
A cuckoo calling even the "chuckle"of the female
The strange call of the Woodcock it sounds like a whistle followed by a frog weird!
I hope these help , sorry if they're late.

edited I meant Blackbird but you all new that

[ron1863]

I can hardly get to sleep at night for owls hooting constantly, very rarely see them though

[Finch]

How about the 'churring' of a Nightjar?

Owls - I would agree Tawnys are your best bet, but later in the year - october/november time as has been said, when they are establishing territories. Also sitting quietly and still is probably better than walking around once you've found a good spot.

Little owls may be good too, as I find them quite vocal, and are often out during the day. Dusk is the best time for them calling. Perhaps your local birder could show you some of these?

[DuncanE]

I suppose a snipe could be wierd and wonderful also.

[Tifstorey]

Thanks for the replies all. I'll definitely get out and try and record some of those.

Originally Posted by DuncanE

I suppose a snipe could be wierd and wonderful also.

I was fortunate enough to record some snipes along with Lapwings. I'd never heard that kind of noise before so standing in the pitch black at 2am listening to those weird noises circling my head was quite scary. Especially with the sci-fi nerd coming out within!

Thanks again folks,

Tif