Eagle owl on the loose

[demicav]

Over the last few weeks there has been several sightings of an eagle owl in my area, it's also been filmed. It has been suggested that it may have escaped from a zoo or collector and people have mixed feelings about it being in the area, mainly worrying about pets being taken as prey. It seems that " those in the know " can't decide whether the eagle owl is in fact native to Britain or not. I must say that having got up close and personal with one a while back I developed a sence of admiration and respect for them and indeed all birds of prey. Has anyone had similar experiences in their area and if so has it resulted in the bird being taken into captivity ?

[sparkle14]

Where abouts are you? Have you seen my earlier posting "Rogue Owl"? Just wondering if the area is similar?

[demicav]

Originally Posted by sparkle14

Where abouts are you? Have you seen my earlier posting "Rogue Owl"? Just wondering if the area is similar?

Read your thread with great interest, although I'm in Lancashire so cannot be the same bird. Maybe this is becoming a familier thing. I was even wondering if eagle owls could come over from Europe in the same way as alot of other birds do, for instance, when they migrate. Would they be allowed to settle here if they chose to ? I would love to know, but not sure where they stand with the law if they are seen as non native.

[Chris Hawes]

I remember about a year ago reading about at least one established nest site in England, being monitored by the RSPB. They didn't give details of the location for obvious reasons. Although large birds, eagle owls are surprisingly difficult to see, even in countries where they are fairly common.

[paulthomas]

A pair of Eagle Owls have been breeding in Yorkshire for some years. If it's one of their offspring (and they successfully raised about 20 so far) it will be ringed.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Eurasian Eagle Owls are not on the official list of British Birds. They do breed in certain areas of northern England and their offspring have wandered far and wide. They are thought to be descendents of escaped or deliberately released birds.

They could in theory traverse across the channel though this has never been confirmed despite one or two records of birds being seen 'coming in off the sea' along the eastern coastline.

Cheers,

Adam

[almostnormal]

i think the feeling at the moment is that monitoring is needed. there are a couple of pairs that have been spotted, and there's some dispute as to whether they arrived here by themselves or were escapees. some of the concerns around them are their size, they are well capable of taking dogs/cats and small farm animals. they are an incredible bird though, and as far as i know none of the birds that have been spotted in the wild have been taken into captivity.

[Dan Salter]

I would happily lose a pet or two to such a magnificent bird that i believe was once native to the uk ( as discussed in recent tv doc)
I would be particularly happy to loose a few dogs...especially the little yappy types on crufts last night tee hee.,.,..( ooooh controversial yet again !)

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

I would happily lose a pet or two to such a magnificent bird that i believe was once native to the uk ( as discussed in recent tv doc)
I would be particularly happy to loose a few dogs...especially the little yappy types on crufts last night tee hee.,.,..( ooooh controversial yet again !)

hee hee...you're not wrong! next door neighbours got a yorkie, and it's got a serious case of small dog syndrome

[Pixie]

Never mind the yappy wee dogs - Did you see that smug woman with TWO dancing dogs? It was the most desperate thing I've ever seen. Strangely compelling to watch though.

I wonder if any eagle owls from Yorkshire have ventured up to Northumberland it would explain the huge owl in my garden last week.