Britains Most Elusive Owl
I have always loved Owls. They are quite simply my favourite subject to photograph. One UK species of Owl has managed to avaid me for years however - the Long Eared Owl. This stunning looking bird is actually fairly widespread across Britain but is a master of camouflage! They are also very rarely out during any daylight hours!
The Long Eared Owl, or “LEO“ as they are often referred as, will sit in very dense foliage and can be sat very close to you, keeping an eye on you and you could never know! They are so good at merging into their surroundings with fantastic blending colouration. I have seen one among some Ivy, only 2 metres away but without a lot of searching with binoculars was almost impossible to pick out by eye!
The first time I had a glimpse of one was at RSPB Saltholme, a nature reserve near Middlesborough where RSPB staff were helping visitors see it with the help of scopes. Even with someone pointing it out and explaining exactly where to look people were struggling! They are that hard to spot!
It is also very tricky to find a location for them in the wild as it is usually best practice for people not to share locations of sensitive species - to protect them from disturbance and persecution. Sadly there are morons out there that still want to kill birds of prey in case they pose a risk to the birds they raise to be shot! But thats another story! It has also been known for LEOs to be put off a breeding location due to a load of people/photographers disturbing them - not everyone has the best interests of the wildlife in mind!
After a lot of research and a lucky tip off from a friend I learned of an area where a breeding pair where calling home. I won’t disclose the location only that it is typical LEO habitat. Moorland, with tufted grass fields for hunting in on the edge of a conifer plantation. During breeding season, when the chicks want feeding, the adult birds will come out during the day to hunt and provide for their hungry growing babies! And when those babies are calling away for the parents to feed them - that is a great clue as to where to find them!
It doesn’t always go to plan however, I visited this location 5 times before i had any success! But how worth it it was! At one point, whilst watching the adult female quartering the field, she flew right in front of me (too close to focus on!) and landed on a fence post about 5 metres away. She was not bothered about me in the slightest! I didn’t dare breath however! Sometimes its best not to push towards the subject but let the subject come to you!
Now the chicks have fledged and started fending for themselves, the adults don’t need to anymore so revert back to night time living. So the season for me is over now. I will certainly try again next summer however! It took a lot of patience and a lot of trying, but that only makes the success feel better when it does all come together! What a stunning looking bird!