Barn Owl out in the day

[birdmouse]

I was enjoying a countryside walk today in the fog and was lucky enough to spot quite a few different birds but as i passed a tall tree a full grown barn owl flew out and accross the field. Should it have been out in the day? it was around 1pm

[Dogghound]

Two explainations

The fact it was in a tree suggests it may have been inactive and was actually roosting and waiting until nightfall. Although they often roost in buildings, in tree cavities etc they will still use trees and dense shrubs for roosts, you may have just spooked it, they often flush quite early in trees.

The other explaination is that hunting has been hard due to snow cover or poor overnight weather conditions or low prey numbers within the territory. Barn owls are often quite diurnal and when food is in short supply or hard to get to they have to hunt longer often into and throught the day.

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by birdmouse

I was enjoying a countryside walk today in the fog and was lucky enough to spot quite a few different birds but as i passed a tall tree a full grown barn owl flew out and accross the field. Should it have been out in the day? it was around 1pm

Not unusual at all in my opinion - normally at this time of the year I'd be out in the woods cutting up logs and upon arrival, having lunch, and sometimes leaving (with a trailer load of logs) we would see the barn owl hunting over the rank grass almost every time we looked.

Neil.

[birdmouse]

Thank You both
I think because the tree was very old and covered in ivy it may well have been roosting or watching for prey, its very close to a cattle barn so lots of straw and hay so mouse heaven.
I saw a common woodpecker too and have now taken notice of its flight so that its easier to spot in the air, I could here it later knock knocking on a tree or branch somewhere, I love those natural sounds of nature.
I`m out there again today so lets see what that walk brings