Regular Tawny Owl call ?

[Ringo1968]

I always hear the screech type call from a tawny owl at the same time every evening- just after darkness sets in. Is there a reason for this ?

[healfdan]

The owl is announcing that this is its territory and by making regular calls the other owls in the area soon learn to identify its voice and acknowledge its claim to the territory.

[hedgewych]

I've just started hearing owls calling when I go to bed, usually around midnight. They sound like tawnies, but I'm no expert - but why have I only just started hearing them? Have they just arrived?

[Dogghound]

Tawny Owls are very sedentary so its more likely that they have been around all year. Tawny owls go quiet in late summer as they moult but once they are finished (around now) they start calling with adult birds marking their territory and young birds trying to establish a territory. Screeches are usually a result of boundary disputes, in tawny owls. Spring tends to be the best time to hear calling birds.

[hedgewych]

Thank you, I expect that's it. There seemed to be quite a few birds joining in.