Barn Owl

**stratman** · 04-Jun-07, 21:02

A barn owl flew parallel to us as we drove through Freswick at 07:00 this morning. Beautiful. I saw on in Thurso earlier this ear and one in the centre of Preston 20 years ago.

**orkneylass** · 08-Jun-07, 23:04

Are you sure it was not a short eared owl as it normally only this breed that hunts in daylight?

**stratman** · 20-Jun-07, 19:51

Originally Posted by orkneylass

Are you sure it was not a short eared owl as it normally only this breed that hunts in daylight?

Thanks Orkneylass.

I have looked that up and I am definite it was a barn owl. Perhaps it is confused by the short nights. When we moved up my cockrel was up all night and going to bed at 14:00 taking his girls with him. They sat in there for a few minutes then came out again leaving him calling desperately for them. He always was a useless bunch of feathers!!

**Tugmistress** · 20-Jun-07, 20:22

Barn owls are not necessarily nocturnal, especially with our light nights and 7am would not be an unusual time of day to see them

they are wonderful birds and no wonder they have a nickname of 'ghost'

**stratman** · 20-Jun-07, 21:29

Thanks Tuggy

I have heard of Hushwing but ghost is a new one on me. Beautiful bird.

**Kenn** · 20-Jun-07, 22:44

Also known as The Screech or Scritch Owl from the weird call they make which can sound like some one being murdered in the dead of night.
Quite an amazing sight if you catch one gliding in your headlights. Would quite agree with Tugs. they usually hunt at dawn,dusk and through the night although at this time of year that would pose a problem so the likleyhood of seeing them is much greater.

**helenwyler** · 20-Jun-07, 22:45

Originally Posted by Tugmistress

Barn owls are not necessarily nocturnal, especially with our light nights and 7am would not be an unusual time of day to see them

they are wonderful birds and no wonder they have a nickname of 'ghost'

Think I remember Bill Oddie saying on Springwatch that barn owls hunt during the day as well as night (must be good powernappers!)

**anneoctober** · 20-Jun-07, 23:09

Bill Oddie, DID say that Helen. I'm quite a sad person - I've recorded the whole series and am now deleting gradually to wean myself off, - Simon in Islay

**helenwyler** · 21-Jun-07, 16:37

Know what you mean anneoctober - something sweetly mesmerising about him!

**jings00** · 21-Jun-07, 16:43

**nirofo** · 21-Jun-07, 20:03

Originally Posted by orkneylass

Are you sure it was not a short eared owl as it normally only this breed that hunts in daylight?

Barn Owls hunt at all times of day at this time of year, especially if they have young somewhere!

Here's a couple of photo's for you!

nirofo.

Barn Owl chick with mouse.

Barn Owl at nest hole.