I'm fairly new to "elusive" wildlife photography ( I'm mostly interested in owls and foxes ), and I've been reading about owls and intend to successfully ( possibly ) find an owl just before or during dusk.
According to wikipedia, in my country and specific part of the country, ( the suburbs of Athens, Greece ) there are quite a few species of owls ( don't know about their population though ) like:
I've been looking for detailed books or threads on the net, but with limited success. Basic descriptions of their whereabouts, habits, etc.
Lately I've been scouting the local woodlands & streams & swarmlands for signs of owls.
Problem is, I'm unsure as to if I'm successfully recognizing what I find.
Could you please help me out ?
I'm linking 4 pictures of what I believe is owl whitewash ( all 4 have been found on or under pine tree trunks ) and a photo of the surrounding of the trees that I found the whitetrash(?) underneath.
whitewash3 is the only one that looks like whitewash to me. You can also look for Owl pellets from when they cough up the remains of food. The whitewash could be from any bird.
The Short-eared Owl in mostly diurnal. The Barn Owl is crepuscular (twilight). I don't know the other three species as well; I've seen Little Owls in Rhodes, but only once and some years ago. It was feeding on moths on a spot lit cathedral. I understand they are very tolerant of human activity.
I agree with Charlie that whitewash3 is the only one that looks like owl poop. We have three owls that live with us; I can claim some expertise on the subject. Charlie's suggestion of pellets is a good one. You can find photos on line. But the best way to find them is buy tracking them down during mating season by listening for their calls. Find a quit area by the edge of a field or meadow. Most of the bird calls and songs, including owl vocalizations, are at Xeno-Canto. Please do not attempt to "call birds in" using recordings; it is unethical (illegal in some countries), disruptive and dangerous to the birds. But finding them by following their calls is acceptable.
I was out one night at that area where the pics are from and I've been hearing their callings, but couldn't get very close ( main reason was I forgot to take my flashlight with me ).
So, while whitewash isn't a direct indication of the presence of owls at a location, seeking for "whitewash" and then inspecting the area around the tree trunk for owl pellets is the best way to go at it I guess ?
And of course, searching at locations that owls have been heard calling at night/dusk and/or locations that suit the needs of owls ( few scarce trees around meadows ).
Discussion
3 repliesI'm fairly new to "elusive" wildlife photography ( I'm mostly interested in owls and foxes ), and I've been reading about owls and intend to successfully ( possibly ) find an owl just before or during dusk.
According to wikipedia, in my country and specific part of the country, ( the suburbs of Athens, Greece ) there are quite a few species of owls ( don't know about their population though ) like:
-Barn owl
-European Scops owl
-Eurasian Eagle owl
-Little owl ( athene noctua )
-Short eared owl
I've been looking for detailed books or threads on the net, but with limited success. Basic descriptions of their whereabouts, habits, etc.
Lately I've been scouting the local woodlands & streams & swarmlands for signs of owls.
Problem is, I'm unsure as to if I'm successfully recognizing what I find.
Could you please help me out ?
I'm linking 4 pictures of what I believe is owl whitewash ( all 4 have been found on or under pine tree trunks ) and a photo of the surrounding of the trees that I found the whitetrash(?) underneath.
Thank you in advance!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0y5rc1a6ikw93lo/whitewash1.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wtps29bmcbpp2x/whitewash2.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z8txubcrk8m67d1/whitewash3.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6rd8fq057gu48rb/whitewash4.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tbj2te5wha9cfjs/whitewashsurroundings.jpg
The Short-eared Owl in mostly diurnal. The Barn Owl is crepuscular (twilight). I don't know the other three species as well; I've seen Little Owls in Rhodes, but only once and some years ago. It was feeding on moths on a spot lit cathedral. I understand they are very tolerant of human activity.
I agree with Charlie that whitewash3 is the only one that looks like owl poop. We have three owls that live with us; I can claim some expertise on the subject. Charlie's suggestion of pellets is a good one. You can find photos on line. But the best way to find them is buy tracking them down during mating season by listening for their calls. Find a quit area by the edge of a field or meadow. Most of the bird calls and songs, including owl vocalizations, are at Xeno-Canto. Please do not attempt to "call birds in" using recordings; it is unethical (illegal in some countries), disruptive and dangerous to the birds. But finding them by following their calls is acceptable.
I was out one night at that area where the pics are from and I've been hearing their callings, but couldn't get very close ( main reason was I forgot to take my flashlight with me
So, while whitewash isn't a direct indication of the presence of owls at a location, seeking for "whitewash" and then inspecting the area around the tree trunk for owl pellets is the best way to go at it I guess ?
And of course, searching at locations that owls have been heard calling at night/dusk and/or locations that suit the needs of owls ( few scarce trees around meadows ).