Getting Wise on Owls

Words and Pictures by William Bowell

In mid-February, my dear wife, Amy, and I went for a walk around Deeping Lakes. It was one of those sunny, mild days you often get in February, the kind when you can smell spring just round the corner. Usually this is followed by an immediate cold, grey, miserable day, just to keep you grounded. We had seen the usual flocks of wildfowl on the lakes, heard the first song of Song Thrush and then there were the Owls.

In short, we saw nine individuals of three species of Owl, all exceptional views, in their own way. We got talking to a visiting photographer, from Devon, and talked about other places around the Deepings to see Owls. After a while of chatting the visitor said, ‘It’s a bit good for Owls around here, isn’t it?’

Which got me thinking. I was cock-a-hoop, because I had just seen a diurnal hunting adult Long-eared Owl and had enjoyed point blank views. I have been watching Long-eared Owls for 20 years or more at Deeping Lakes. I have had some amazing encounters. I have found them out in the middle of the day, sat out wide open, but never close. I have seen them displaying at dusk. I have seen them go out hunting in the murk of twilight, but I had never seen one hunting in the day time. And not just at Deeping Lakes– anywhere!

News of this showy bird, roosting near the entrance of the reserve, had reached us whilst we were at home, enjoying lunch, already planning to go for a walk. I assumed it wasn’t that obliging though; as we all know, Longeared Owls usually aren’t. But on arriving at the car park, we met Bob and Sue Titman (who have mythical Uncle and Aunty status around these parts, to some local birders) who were leading Peterborough Bird Club (a great organisation, which nurtured my interest in birds in my late teens) and showed us outstanding photos of the Owl, in the wide open.

We continued our walk around the reserve, quickly seeing the four usual roosting Long-eared Owls near the hide, showing really well, compared to the half a wing, bit of a head, ‘is that a tail?’, sort of view you usually get. But I must admit, dear reader, I wasn’t happy. I had just seen what we could have won… and it was on the back of someone else’s camera, not mine!

Our walk continued to the Little Owls, where both were out, in their usual willow. Diminutive and with amazing eyes that follow your every move, they really do cute and creepy, all rolled into one. It was the first time I had seen the pair this year and lovely to see… but….

‘You never know,’ I said as we got back to the car park, ‘the Owl might be back at the entrance.’ As we drove along, we spotted the Devon photographer ahead and then Amy said the words every birder loves to hear, when searching for an unusual bird, ‘There it is!’.

Sat on a post, right by the track, the views were shocking. Not as in bad, you understand, but as in, I was in shock! I didn’t really expect it to by-track and I didn’t know what to do! Take a photo? I couldn’t, I was at the wrong angle. Enjoy the views? Oh, go on then. The Owl flew, with its long wings, and buoyant, butterflylike flight back to the trees.

Amy and I shared outstanding views of this LEO for over two hours. Thoughts that it might be unwell went through my mind. But it had a little afternoon nap in the sun (who can blame it?) and then when the clouds came in, woke up and hunted the coppice, up and down, catching several prey, so seemed perfectly fit and healthy, just a little hungry!

After a while it flew over the river and we watched it hunt the ditches in Cambridgeshire, just like the closely related Short-eared Owl would, by which time my father, ‘Pops’ (or as some know him, Parker or if you are Julia the nice dog walker calls him, Uncle; you might call him Ray). A couple of Barn Owls sharing the same ditches barely got a mention, as we all watched this unique event, in awe, until it disappeared out of sight.

Round at Newborough Fen, there were five Short-eared Owls roosting, apparently. In the previous days, I had seen up to six Barn Owls along the Highbank. And if we had stayed on till dark, we would have no doubt heard a Tawny Owl hoot. All just a few miles from Deeping.

I reckon, ‘It’s a bit good for Owls around here’, might just be understating it a little!

Will works at Grasmere Farm in Deeping St James (with a butcher’s and deli in Market Gate, Market Deeping) but in his spare time enjoys wildlife watching locally and across the country. He is also a keen photographer. Many of his images can be found at http://justwildimages. blogspot.co.uk/ and photo cards can be found for sale at Market Gate Deli in Market Deeping.

Shop local this Mother’s Day! We’ve gifts galore from local suppliers or enjoy afternoon tea in our Café, booking essential! Your garden birds will be nest building too, ready for the breeding season, so will need a steady food supply.