An interesting report on Eagle Owls on the One Show tonight.
I was attacked by an Eagle Owl near Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire, so it is a bird near to my heart (literally).
It has a bad press for attacking other birds of prey, especially the Hen Harrier, but there is no evidence that these accusations are true.
Try to catch it on BBC i Player if you can.
Pipit
The problem with the English Hen Harrier population is that there very nearly isn't one. The blame for this cannot be placed at the Eagle Owl's door but where a species' breeding population can be measured in low double figures it won't take much to extinguish it altogether. Incidental predation by very large avian predators is an additional pressure that the beleagured Hen Harrier can really do without at the moment. In fairness, however, predation by more common birds and mammals poses a bigger threat.
JBNTS
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
And the odd human predator, no doubt, going on recent news coverage.
How much does a Hen Harrier egg or nestling go for on the black market these days, I wonder?
SICK.
And the human predators aren't out to eat them......
Fear not, There's no black market in HH eggs or offspring. They just get "disappeared".
Unknown said: And the human predators aren't out to eat them...... Fear not, There's no black market in HH eggs or offspring. They just get "disappeared".
Yet again we get close to the brink :( I'm staying out of this one
S
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Hi John
Yes, an interesting comment or two from yourself.
I have a very healthy respect for all BoP's and I am awe inspired by them
One show: my TV is not working so I will look at the article on the PC in due course.
Having seen an Eagle Owl up close and personal (it sat on my arm at a lecture I attended at Edinburgh Zoo) they are beautiful birds and I find it hard to believe that they would harm any human at all - and hopefully no-one ever eats them either LOL
Great to see them for what they are, and not having humans making fun of the species. They have enough problems as it is with any human interference of any sort.
Regards
Kathy and Dave