|
Long-eared
Owl asio otus |
Sightings
1987 to 2008 |
| Long-eared Owls by Sean Gray | |
|---|---|
Scarce
resident breeder |
|
2003 |
Another
record year with nine pairs located at three sites, yielding a
minimum of 18 young. At one site both males and females were heard
calling in February with five pairs successfully raising at least
twelve young. The young birds were only about 300 meters apart.
At another site three pairs reared at least five young and
at a third site there was one calling youngster in early August.
There is undoubtedly more breeding as previous sites and vast areas
of suitable habitat went un-checked. Evidence of this was seen
when a young bird was taken into care from a previously unknown
breeding site in the west of the recording area. Analysis of pellets from the first site mentioned showed that prey included 89 Field Voles, 12 Wood Mice, four Pygmy Shrews, two Frogs and a bird. |
2004 |
Even with a very half-hearted breeding survey, this year was still the most successful since BOG was formed. A total of 13 pairs was found, fledging a minimum of 28 young birds between them. At the main site, pairs were noted duet calling in early spring, and this led to seven pairs breeding, with at least 17 young being located. One of the young birds was ringed. At another regular breeding area two pairs reared three young, whilst at a site where breeding was noted two years ago, three young were fledged this year. A new location, near a 1997 breeding site, had two pairs with three and one young respectively, and a further young bird was seen near another new site. |
| 2005 | This species continues to maintain its recent and remarkable progress in the recording area, thanks in no small part to those members who have enthusiastically encouraged and monitored this. In 2005, a total of eleven pairs were proved to have bred, raising
a minimum of 22 young. It was encouraging that at least two pairs
used the nesting baskets which have been erected at the principal
breeding sites. In summary, successful breeding took place as follows: Near Site 4, and just outside the recording area, a different pair was thought to have bred, and birds were seen hunting over the Group area. Similarly, birds were also seen hunting over another part of the BOG area, servicing another nest just outside it. Overall, the position is clearly healthy, and other pairs are probably waiting to be discovered. There were no other records, apart from birds calling at one breeding site in October. |
| 2006 | After the success of recent years, the species suffered a setback in 2006, perhaps due to a combination of circumstances, including a shortage of prey species and poor weather conditions at critical times in the breeding cycle. Whilst around ten pairs were probably present at four general locations, only five nests were discovered, two of which failed, and only three juvenile birds were ringed, although young were also heard calling at one of the sites. Given this, it is possible at least six young were raised in all. Single birds were also seen in June and August at locations where they were not thought to have nested, and it is worth bearing in mind that even this year’s relatively poor showing compares very favourably with the handful of records produced as recently as 1996. |
| 2007 | After the downturn in 2006, the contrast this year could not be greater, as a record number of 31 young were raised, all of which were ringed. Three principal sites were involved, producing 25, four and two juveniles, and a nest at another location failed. The probable further spread of the species is also indicated by sightings in May and August in the Denholme and Bingley areas. |
| 2008 | Another excellent year, with at least 11 pairs breeding at six locations, including two new ones. The number of young wasn’t reported, but is likely to have been in line with last year’s 31. An additional bird was seen during the breeding season in the Ilkley area, and there were apparent wintering birds near Barden in October, and Snaygill in December. |
| 2009 | Whilst there were eleven active pairs in previously occupied areas, only one of them fledged young, and it is known that 2009 was a poor year for the species generally. The previous December’s overwintering birds were still at Snaygill, with one remaining into February, and there were spring records of singles at Draughton and Silsden. Two birds on Baildon Moor in the summer were presumably relocating, and an apparent winter visitor was near Oxenhope in December. |
| 2010 | At least 11 pairs were discovered at nest-sites. Ten of these were at previously active locations, mainly in the north of the area, and a minimum of 23 young were raised. The other was at a newly-discovered site, where food-carrying adults were seen in June. Elsewhere, a bird was seen at Draughton Heights in spring. |