Eagle Owl on BBC2 tonight at 8pm.

[John]

A repeat of a programme that had the birding world talking last year. Must see TV.

John

[Blackdog]

Thanks John, I'll get the TV warmed up - wonderful things these valves you know

[aeshna5]

An excellent programme with wise words from Roy Dennis. Sadly soon after this was intially broadcast one of the birds in Yorkshire was killed- not sure whether this was connected (ie. in giving the site away).

[John]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

An excellent programme with wise words from Roy Dennis. Sadly soon after this was intially broadcast one of the birds in Yorkshire was killed- not sure whether this was connected (ie. in giving the site away).

It was a shame about the demise of this bird but prior to the TV show the site was well known anyway. I was even booked to go and see the birds myself with a mate, that knows the site well, before I even knew about the programme.

Sadly I wasn't too well when it came around to going so had to pull out. I never got the chance again to go there.

John

[James_Owen]

As much as I admire the work Roy Dennis has done for White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, etc, having previously seen the programme it did concern me that his enthusiasm for big birds of prey has gotten the best of him this time. I don't think there is any argument that reintroduction schemes demand a certain degree of scientific rigour, and clearly the 'return' of Eagle Owls has very little of it - from irresponsible releases to the lack of historical status as a British bird, there really is no good qualified reason for supporting the small wild population other than it's exciting as a spectacle.
So in terms of conservation I think it sets a poor very standard, and I feel very uneasy about the whole thing. It begs the question, if we allow this, what next?

[Blackdog]

Excellent programme with a lot of food for thought.
If I was to put my cynical head on though, I could say, why not welcome in the Eagle Owl; we let just about everyone else in!

[John]

James

No disrespect intended but I was hoping to just report the fact that this programme was on and was worth watching.

What you have stated has been done to death on other forums and even then nothing conclusive ever came out of those debates.

Roy Dennis has his opinions, as have other people. He is entitled to that but make no mistake no matter what he says it will be others in a far more senior postion to make decisions that will ultimately decide the fate of the Eagle Owl.

John

[GuyF]

Interesting programme, I remember seeing it last time but it was nice to see it again. It's funny how those baby wheatears already had their little white rumps!
Thanks for the heads-up John,
Guy

[Gill Catton]

I must admit find it very hard to believe that long eared owls and short eared owls manage to migrate to the UK but Eagle owls never ever stumble in our direction. As it seems they are spreading in other parts of the Europe how can we be 100 % certain they didn't make it here by themselves?

I'm not a big fan of re-introductions and I don't think a re-introductions scheme should be done, but as these birds are a natural part of the european ecosystem and although its a long shot they may have made it here by themselves, I see no reason why we shouldn't let them come. It would be a shame to remove this pair (if there is still a pair) only to discover that these birds do make it over on their own steam at a later date......

[John]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

IIt would be a shame to remove this pair (if there is still a pair) only to discover that these birds do make it over on their own steam at a later date......

Unfortunately one of them was killed last year. There was some conflicting reports about it being shot. I can't remember if that was ever confirmed.

John

[James_Owen]

Originally Posted by John

James

No disrespect intended but I was hoping to just report the fact that this programme was on and was worth watching.

What you have stated has been done to death on other forums and even then nothing conclusive ever came out of those debates.

Roy Dennis has his opinions, as have other people. He is entitled to that but make no mistake no matter what he says it will be others in a far more senior postion to make decisions that will ultimately decide the fate of the Eagle Owl.

John

Apologies, just seems impossible to watch the programme (again) and not wish to comment on the issue.

[John]

Originally Posted by James_Owen

Apologies, just seems impossible to watch the programme (again) and not wish to comment on the issue.

I know what you mean James It's just that I have watched other threads on this subject digenerate into almost anarchy in the past. I just wanted to nip that in the bud before it started this time.

John

[nightshade]

I had not seen this before,and was very taken by the size of the owl
It is apparent that a predator of this size and capability is a frightening
prospect to many people but I suspect this bird has been a migrant for
many years(no I have no proof it just seems logical)and only now has it
come into the limelight
Assuming less than 50% of the Yorkshire breeding survived that is still a
lot of big owls either quietly blending in or flying back to Europe
Rabbits are now in great demand for food then, what with Eagle Owls and
Buzzards(I know Buzzards are on the menu as well) but Buzzards have no
predators but man until now
It is a situation that will bear watching I hope the Owl fits in

[Kayleigh]

There seems to be big cats out there but no one has any evidence to prove it. How do we know how many of these magnificent birds are out there. There needs to be a predator for the Rabbits besides the buzzards.

[shyfx]

I really enjoyed it and it gives you alot to think about.Its set me thinking who's to say the general public don't see them more often? If they have my knowledge of bird i.d (which is limited to pigeons and black birds etc),then if it was seen in flight it be just another large bird.Also if one was to come across car headlights at night then i guess the features wouldn't be that sharp and it just be "a owl".It be intresting to see if the programme prompts some one to do an in depth study into it.

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by shyfx

I really enjoyed it and it gives you alot to think about.Its set me thinking who's to say the general public don't see them more often? If they have my knowledge of bird i.d (which is limited to pigeons and black birds etc),then if it was seen in flight it be just another large bird.Also if one was to come across car headlights at night then i guess the features wouldn't be that sharp and it just be "a owl".It be intresting to see if the programme prompts some one to do an in depth study into it.

I totally agree,to many people the biggest bird they have heard of
is a Golden Eagle so any large bird that is not an easily recognised
"sea gull" is reported as a Golden Eagle
The birds in the programme, despite hearing their calls were initially
difficult to spot on those cliffs

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

There seems to be big cats out there but no one has any evidence to prove it. How do we know how many of these magnificent birds are out there. There needs to be a predator for the Rabbits besides the buzzards.

I don't think there's any shortage of Rabbit predators out there- Foxes, Cats, Stoat, Mink, etc.

Talking of big cats, there's quite a bit about possibilities of Lynx re-introduction in the mammal round-up in the new British Wildlife mag, which is probably more likely than for Wolf.