Long Eared Owls

[RKB]

Originally Posted by captaincarot

if you ever don't know what a birds call sounds like, then go to xenocanto and listen to it.

And a few others! In this case, Stock Dove vs hooting, and juv Sparrowhawk vs juv Long-eared Owl.

[Naturenutz]

This is a bird that has also eluded me.Does anyone know if they can be found in the forest of dean , i have not heard any reports but thought it would be ideal habitat..Do they require very large forests to breed or will smaller woods do ?
I am near bristol but have only ever heard of a few over wintering birds and no summer regulars.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Naturenutz

This is a bird that has also eluded me.Does anyone know if they can be found in the forest of dean , i have not heard any reports but thought it would be ideal habitat..Do they require very large forests to breed or will smaller woods do ?
I am near bristol but have only ever heard of a few over wintering birds and no summer regulars.

My local examples have a preference for mooredge conifer plantations, sometimes surprisingly tiny ones (the plantations, not the owls).

Chris

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Naturenutz

This is a bird that has also eluded me.Does anyone know if they can be found in the forest of dean , i have not heard any reports but thought it would be ideal habitat..Do they require very large forests to breed or will smaller woods do ?
I am near bristol but have only ever heard of a few over wintering birds and no summer regulars.

I dont know about the forest of dean but would have many as I suspect that it has lots of tawny owls, so its likely that if LEO are present they will be in neighbouring subordinate tawny habitat such as scrub.

LEO readily breed in small areas of woodland such as shelter belts and are not limited to large expanses of woodland. The species also tends to be more often found in conifer plantations especially monoculture ones which are tightly packed, surrounded be open habitats such as rough grassland, where they hunt. They will breed in isolated trees in open areas and are especially fond of hawthorn and blackthorn scrub. Wintering birds can turn up in similar habitats but are less restricted.

[watsthat]

Thanks to all for some spot on advice and info


Cheers

Pete