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Barn Owl tips

Discussion

3 replies
Posted by BATEY on December 15, 2006 at 4:19 AM
Ive set myself a project to photography barn owls this winter/spring and was just wondering if anyone had any tips or knowledge they could pass on, i live in southport and have seen some hunting the mosses but they have always been to far away to photography, any help would be appreciated
Posted by A.R.D on December 15, 2006 at 6:03 AM
Hello Andy

Your best bet if you want to 'photography' them :smile: is to watch them over a couple of weeks and monitor their movements over time.

They seem to follow a set pattern of hunting a particular route at roughly similar times. I notice they are out and about in December/January/February until 09:30-10:00 and back out from 14:00ish around here where I am.

You may find they like a perch or tree in a particular place (that you can access easily) etc.

You need to build up a picture of their movements.

Regards

Posted by Anthony House on December 15, 2006 at 4:21 PM
If the field or area of rough grassland that they hunt is large you could try putting a post or branch in for them to perch on, they often like to take rest when quartering the hunting area so placing a perch in a good area for photography ie: good light and a clean b/g can work.

Plus you can set up your hide and also bait the area around the base of the perch to attract mice and rats.
Posted by Major Gilbert on December 16, 2006 at 4:42 PM
Barn Owls do seem to follow a set pattern, but then for no explained reason that pattern vanishes. Keep your eyes out for wet & windy conditions during the night. That stops Mr Owl from hunting, followed by a nice bright still morning next day. You will find a greater number flying in daylight simply because they desperate to feed.

Major