Tawny Owl in day

thebeard · #1 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 11:15 AM

Went for a walk at wollaton park yesterday, and walking by one of the conservation areas (mainly just mature woodland) i heard a green woodpecker calling, so stopped to have a look, but couldn't find it. however, while watching, i heard something distinctly owl-like. at first i thought it might be someone calling their dog, but listened on. After standing for a while distinctly heard the call of a tawny owl 5 or 6 times.

it just seemed odd, as it was only 3pm, and they don't really call in the day... do they?

was i hearing things? anything else it could have been?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 11:17 AM

I hear them during the day. Im not sure if its common or not but ive heard several doing it. Even on clear sunny days.

captaincarot · #3 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 04:20 PM

we've heard 6 day calling this year (3 in the last 2 weeks), compared with one at night

RKB · #4 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 04:44 PM

Calling in the day is quite common.

Naturenutz · #5 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 05:26 PM

i heard one the weekend just gone.it was not the full call of the male though,but one of the other calls ive heard before.It Was daylight and seemed to be pestered by magpies by the noises i could here.i never saw it even after searching but think it may have seen me first.Thought it was unusual myself,but maybe its more common than i thought.

FUDGEY · #6 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 06:04 PM

Hear them regularly during day at this time if year, more commonly from coniferous woodland which contains lower light levels.

thebeard · #7 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 09:38 PM

cheers folks, thought it was a bit weird as i've not noticed it before. it was a nice surprise anyway!

RobinP · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 07:07 PM

Try these:

YouTube - Tawny Owls in Kensington Gardens

From Kensington Gardens, London.

Tracey.A · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 08:30 PM

I've heard and seen a Tawny owl during the day. I think the reason for this is that the female is probably incubating eggs just now and once they've hatched the male will look for food. After a period of 15 days both parents will then be out hunting to feed their young. With young to feed they could be forced to hunt during the day as well as at night.

Tracey