Long Eared Owl, Lesvos
18th May 2015
The Long Eared Owl is a very difficult bird to see in most countries and particularly in the UK. This is mainly because of its nocturnal habits and cryptic plummage. However, if there is one thing that gives them away its their characteristic, deep, muted hooting which can be heard for up to a mile away. It is completely different to the hoot of the Tawny Owl and with experience is easily separated.
One evening after returning from one of the local tavernas Sue and I were sitting on our hotel balcony enjoying a glass of chilled wine. In the distance we heard this muted call of the Long Eared Owl and we decided there and then to try and locate it. Luckily the Owl was still calling at intervals when we left the hotel and after walking for about 500 yards in the direction of the hoot, through a small village, just on the edge there was a stand of Eucalyptus trees adjacent to an Olive Grove. We walked a little further until we thought we were directly under the sound, unfortunately we couldn't see the Owl in the limited light.
Having located this potential territory we decided to return the next day;
The next morning we were at the location at first light and scanned the Eucalyptus trees and Olive Grove for over an hour without success. Undaunted, we stopped for a sandwich break in the car, when we recommenced our search I noticed a large bird perched on an Olive branch. Much to my elation I could see a semi-fledged Long Eared Owl Chick staring back at me - what a fabulous bird!!
As the sun came up warming the morning air, the chick became more alert, opening its eyes and starting to preen. Almost immediately we heard the characteristic hoot of an adult male Long Eared Owl, obviously watching his chick.
We started to search the surrounding trees and after about an hour Sue exclaimed "there he is" - high up in a Corsican Pine was the male Long Eared Owl.
I manged to take a few shots of both birds during this time, but as the morning progressed and village noise and traffic increased, the adult bird swooped silently down and disappeared into the depths of the Olive Grove and during this period the chick had also moved into denser cover.
To find an adult Long Eared Owl and a chick in one morning really was special.
One evening after returning from one of the local tavernas Sue and I were sitting on our hotel balcony enjoying a glass of chilled wine. In the distance we heard this muted call of the Long Eared Owl and we decided there and then to try and locate it. Luckily the Owl was still calling at intervals when we left the hotel and after walking for about 500 yards in the direction of the hoot, through a small village, just on the edge there was a stand of Eucalyptus trees adjacent to an Olive Grove. We walked a little further until we thought we were directly under the sound, unfortunately we couldn't see the Owl in the limited light.
Having located this potential territory we decided to return the next day;
The next morning we were at the location at first light and scanned the Eucalyptus trees and Olive Grove for over an hour without success. Undaunted, we stopped for a sandwich break in the car, when we recommenced our search I noticed a large bird perched on an Olive branch. Much to my elation I could see a semi-fledged Long Eared Owl Chick staring back at me - what a fabulous bird!!
As the sun came up warming the morning air, the chick became more alert, opening its eyes and starting to preen. Almost immediately we heard the characteristic hoot of an adult male Long Eared Owl, obviously watching his chick.
We started to search the surrounding trees and after about an hour Sue exclaimed "there he is" - high up in a Corsican Pine was the male Long Eared Owl.
I manged to take a few shots of both birds during this time, but as the morning progressed and village noise and traffic increased, the adult bird swooped silently down and disappeared into the depths of the Olive Grove and during this period the chick had also moved into denser cover.
To find an adult Long Eared Owl and a chick in one morning really was special.