Notable Recent Sightings

29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Long-eared Owl attacking Osprey

On 6th April, the Dyfi Osprey Project nest camera picked up several attacks by an owl on Telyn, the resident female Osprey, on the perch by the nest. Most comments following views of the footage assumed this was a Barn Owl - a regular visitor to the reserve. But close attention to the underwing (see https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=874095486503045 - especially the attack in slow-mo, shown after the full speed one) shows a short black line on the underwing, but no black tip to the wing. This combination rules out both Tawny and Short-eared Owls, while Barn Owls have a pure white underwing. Further attacks came on 10th April. So, a brilliant record - though Telyn might not agree. Thanks to Emyr Evans for posting the video, and to Iolo Williams for identification input.

4 comments:

  1. Such repeatedly aggressive behaviour suggests that the Long-eared Owl is nesting nearby. The nest cameras (which picked up a Nightingale singing last year) may one day pick up the squeaky-gate call of juvenile Long-eared Owls!

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  2. Wow! Impressive detective work and an exciting record. 😁

    ReplyDelete