Short Eared Owl hunting time changes

[KentYeti]

Apart from last Monday, right after the snowfall, the Capel Fleet Short Eared Owls have changed their hunting times by quite a lot.

Last Monday I think they must have been very hungry after the snow falling and then quite deep snow disrupted them. So I saw two out at 14.20, about two hours earlier than their normal time. And their normal times were in line with what is said about them: 30 to 60 miniutes before sunset.

But since then they have only been seen at 17.25, (earliest), and 20.00.

I was there every afternoon last week from 12.45/13.30 up to dark and later.

Is this happening elsewehere in the country where it has been very, very clold and with some lying snow?

And can anyone shed light on why they have changed their times?

All I can think is that is was very windy Tuesday and Wednesday, and maybe that forced them to hunt later when perhaps the wind was less strong. And they haven't got back to their normal routine yet because the unusually cold weather has disoriented them?

Cheers,

Bryan

[KentYeti]

OK. I'm getting a few ideas via GOOGLE.

Inceased night time light intensity may increase the time a Short Eared Owl hunts at night. And last week the snow and ice did give more brightness at night. But that is not the direct reason for increased night hunting. It maybe that the prey are more active at night because of either the slightly brighter conditions or due to the severe weather.

Above are only ideas. Need to follow them up.

But I'd very much like to hear from anyone else who has noted a change in hunting habits on their patch during the cold spell.

Cheers,

Bryan

[KentYeti]

Well, I hope to hear if this has been happening elsewehere as it will help the research I am doing into these lovely creatures.

Until then I'll just continue to chat amongst myself! LOL!

Reading a detailed research paper late last night gives some pointers, but no more than that. The Short Eared Owl has been shown to hunt more effectively at night when the moon is brighter: it must rely on vision to a significant degree still. That helps because their prey have, in controlled tests, been seen to reduce activity in such brighter night conditions. So the cost/benefit energy use/gain by the Owl probably remains constant as the moon light rises and falls.

And maybe also last week the SEO main prey, ie the short tailed voles, had to be more active at night to feed more because of the severe cold. Being forced by hunger to ignore the brighter conditions caused by lying snow and ice. i.e Hunger over-rode the increased danger of hunting in brighter conditions at night.

So possibly the SEOs reacted quickly to an increased level of prey activity in night conditions that made hunting easier and more successful than in late daytime when perhaps prey activity was less?

Have to see what happens when the snow and ice has gone.

Cheers,

Bryan

[pressld2]

I have no info to contribute Bryan, but I'm hoping they'll resume daylight hunting soon as I'm still hoping to try for some shots myself. Particularly in flight.

Here's the one from Lincolnshire last March that I mentioned...



Loads of people got shots of this little poser! And don't forget to take a look at Roger's (Ollie's) latest uploads from the same location: Ollie Gallery - Wildlife Photography

Dave P.

[Tobyh]

Interesting stuff Bryan. I can't help you directly as I've only ever seen one and that was your neck of the woods (Elmley) a few weeks ago. I intend visiting again soon to try for them as I would LOVE some shots too! Maybe we can make a trip of it when the conditions are right (Dave / Bryan PM if interested?)

Bryan - maybe a check here Sussex Ornithological Society at the Sussex Ornithological Society can help you. Scan through and check the reports for Beeding Brooks, Waltham Brooks, Rodmell Brooks etc as they are regularly reported and the times seen. Hope it helps !

Regards

TobyH

[Acipiter]

Hi Bryan, did you read my post about the short eared owl me and my brother found dead a few weeks ago, I have spoken to a couple of friends who were watching the owls, and like me they put it down to the very high winds we had here at that time. I can only take a guess at your question and say its related to the change of prey activity due to the present harsh weather.

I do know very bad weather such as we have at the moment as altered the time of hunting of the sparrowhawks I am studying. They normally have left the roosting trees by the time I get there, (just after light) but just lately it normally takes place from 10 am to 11am. Indeed if I enter their roosting spots very quietly I do often find them still there at the aforementioned times. I do realise that s/hawks are hunting a different prey species then your owls, but I still think I could be right as to the answer to your question.

All I can suggest is that you put in more time to watching, I am afraid its only pure dedication to one species at a time,that will give the answers that you are looking for. It could take quite a time, but its worth it in the end. Good luck Bryan.

[KentYeti]

Thanks guys. Some pointers there for me to follow up.

And yes, it needs time and patience. Close to 30 hours there last week over six days, and my total is past 300 hrs now! I am going to have to spend some more very dull weather days there too, and some evenings, plus I am planning an overnight or two there as well. To get a more balanced view.

The change in times has to be down to prey activity and/or the ease of catching prey as that is virtually the only reason the Owls will be out flying this time of the year. I have twice seen one just move briefly to change roosting positions. And a couple of times one put up and sent on it's way by another arriving to hunt nearby. But all other flying has been for their prime purpose in life at present: to feed! (Yetis are like that too LOL!).

As for a meet up there. Yes, that will be fine. I'll be there on and off most days at present while my detailed observations continue. Snake and Dave arriving Saturday later in the afternoon was very welcome company. Two very knowledgeable guys to talk too. And trying not to be sexist, the girls are very welcome too!

I am jealous of that perching shot Dave. Well worth that long round trip you made.

I've got them close on the ground, but am still lacking a nice close "on top of a post" perching photo.

Cheers,

Bryan

[Acipiter]

I thought the yeti lived in the wild full time I still don't go on holiday when activity is high, don't say anything but the wife not caught on yet.

[KentYeti]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

I thought the yeti lived in the wild full time I still don't go on holiday when activity is high, don't say anything but the wife not caught on yet.

LOL!

Bryan

[Naturenutz]

Hi Bryan

I have also been trying to figure the hunting times out.On my local patch 2 or 3 birds were regularly showing in daylight in november but since then they have been almost totally nocturnal.I think the november birds moved on as we had no sightings for a month or so and then just lately a dog walker disturbed 5 roosting birds and despite being a well watched site that is easily and best viewed from the the car there have been no daytime reports.I have seen the birds come out to hunt at near darkness on most evenings,and even when there are no sightings i believe they are often still around but in nocturnal mode.Last year they rarely showed in daylight until march and april when they showed really well.The weather has been variable over the last 3 months but the birds have stayed nocturnal.There is another site around 20miles away where the birds have showed from 3.30pm.I have a diary on my website with sightings and times seen that you may find interesting.
I have not figured the flying times out yet but am gathering as much info as possible as you are.
regards
vic.