Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

 The Tawny Owl, a cute little creature about the size of a Pigeon, with brown chestnut feathers and big "cuddle me eyes"...don't misunderstand this is not a creature for cuddling, rather it is a mean killing machine and misses little during the night....it eats Small mammals, birds, amphibians, worms and beetles, mostly between dusk and dawn and it can be identified by its 'tu-whit, tu woo' call which is the male (who hoots) and a female (whose call is now often rendered 'keewick') calling to each other...it is a sweet noise and easy to learn, I often sit and call to the him and await his replies.

Just lately we have been woken during the night by our resident Tawney who has taken to sitting in the Beech tree in front of our bedroom window...he sits and calls and to date we have not hear-ed a reply from a female so he is a bit of a loner, but he still gives it a go....he hunts in and amongst the trees and woodland that surrounds our property and this has kept him very well fed....the resident feral's hate him as he spies one of them, homes in ready for the kill, and with an attack plan as silent and precise as an assassin he makes his move and "Thwack" another dirty feral bites the dust....for a small bird he is very powerful, all the small birds and mammals don't stand a chance once he has them in his hold.

I have seen him plucking his kill on the front lawn and once finished he retreats further into the trees to eat...I have found his nesting place in a big old Beech Tree  near the garages and recently collected a couple of his pellets for my own perusal...he is fond of mice as these tend to be the general contents of the pellets but occasionally I have found feathers, bones of small song birds, beetle wings and shells.....We are pleased he has taken up residence as we have noticed less and less signs of rodents about the buildings so he is doing a good job.....he must watch out for the cats as they will have him if he is not careful.

There are other raptor residents in the woods amongst which are Kestrels and some not too distant Peregrine Falcons who put in an appearance occasionally, along with all the beautiful song birds, squirrels, and odd rabbits we have quite a collection of fur and feather on our doorstep....who needs the television!.