• Peewit
  • 8 Apr 2023 2:13 PM
  • State Not Answered
  • Replies 4 replies
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Tawny Owls

A couple of nights ago I was surprised to hear a Tawny Owl hooting directly outside our upstairs bathroom window.  

What surprised me is that the bird sounded although it was so close it was on the other side of the open window.

My question is - I thought this was the wrong time of year for Tawny Owls to call as this one was for 30 mins or so.

  • is it a youngster maybe lost its way.  I know that Tawnies nest early in the year 

Love to hear other people's stories and opinions about Tawnies calling at odd times in the year 

If there is a similar question on here I have only been on since last August so overlooked it.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

  • tuwit
    Which sex was the contact call?

    "Keewick" - female.
    "Woo" - male.
    You mention hooting, So I'm currently assuming the male contact call (the "woo")

    Possibilities.

    Young male still searching for a partner.
    Male with a lost (failed pairing, for many reasons) partner.

    Both of those would be an attempt at a late brood.

    I've lived with tawny owls hearabouts for a decade or more. Whether that classes is me as 'expert' is (very) debatable.

    The local (tawnies) here have stopped calling, so I'm assuming either they've dispersed elsewhere (an option given tree felling), or there's successsful pairing.

    The outcome of breeding/nesting attempts will have to be listened for later in the year. When the vocalisations of successful attempts are apparent.
  • ItisaRobbo
    Not heard any owls from the house in recent weeks, but heard one during the day a couple of times a week and two weeks ago. Also walking home last night, there was plenty of hooting just before dusk.
  • Peewit

    In reply to ItisaRobbo:

    Interesting because I certainly do not remember hearing any so late into the year - more like Dec/Jan time

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • ItisaRobbo

    In reply to Peewit:

    'Mine' could be the same bird, and could be a loner. Locations were within approx a mile as an owl flies. Certainly, far, far less calling now. Oct-Jan it was pretty much every night, regardless of whether I went out or not, and continued into much of Feb to a lesser extent.