The owl and the hedgehog

[~T~]

So quite the evening for me wildlife wise. I was standing at my backdoor on usual hedgehog watch just after it had got dark having a cuppa tea. Then out the corner of my eye I spotted something landing on a lamp post on the street at other side of my garden (about 40-50 ft away behind some young rowan trees). Straight away I thought tawny owl but then thought more likely to be a a crow or woodie up late as I have rarely heard owls in my area. Well the bird let out a loud unmistakable tawny owl call (the long hooting kind) then flew off and as if the call hadn't been enough it flew past another lamp post and I could clearly see it. It continued to call for quite some time so I stood and listened. Then I heard a snuffling and one of the local hogs arrived (the one that has a missing patch of spikes). I watched it snuffling around for maybe about 30 secs when the owl called again. The hog instantly froze and remained like this for almost a minute before slowly and cautiously returning to it's foraging. This happened a few more times though the further away the calls got the less the hog froze for. It was quite cool to observe but would this be owl specific or just any loud scary sound? Could a tawny kill a hedgehog or even try to?

[thunder]

Originally Posted by ~T~

Could a tawny kill a hedgehog or even try to?

Yes, but it is an uncommon occurrence (but obviously common enough for the average hog to be aware of it )

henrya

[posie]

Perhaps the owl was previously responsible for the bald patch on your Hoggy...

Posie..

[PMG]

Originally Posted by posie

Perhaps the owl was previously responsible for the bald patch on your Hoggy...

Posie..

Thats just what I was thinking Posie

[~T~]

Originally Posted by PMG

Thats just what I was thinking Posie

Hmmm yeh that could be a possibility. I would much rather it be from an owl than someones dog or cat.