I’ve thought for a while that there may be owls around in our local area – where we live was planned as a ‘Garden Village’ after the war, and so we’re lucky enough to have small parks and open spaces at the end of most of the streets. These contain a lot of tall trees ideal for roosting and watching the activities (and potential prey) in the gardens below. I’d heard a Tawny Owl call from somewhere behind the house a couple of times in the middle of the night, but I’d never actually seen one around.
So I was thrilled to see a shape drop out of the sky at dusk the other evening, and alight on our next door neighbours roof. I was just thinking that the Woodpigeon was out late, and then it turned it’s head enough for me to see it’s silhouette – an owl!
It perched for a few minutes, from the movements of it’s head I suspect eating an evening snack. When finished, it flexed it’s wings a few times before flying off into the night. I so hope it comes back! I’m guessing it was a Tawny Owl, as it’s the species that makes most sense from the perspective of the habitat in our area.
I’d love to get a better look at it – I’ve only seen a Tawny Owl close up during a photography session at a Birds of Prey centre near me, from which the photos on this post are taken. I’m wondering if I rigged a trail cam to point upwards, whether that would work. Even if not, I’m just thrilled to have confirmation that we have them in the area, and that they are coming so close to the garden.
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