Long-eared Owls.
01st May 2025
Long-eared Owls are difficult birds to find in the UK, which is pretty much accepted. They are crepuscular and nocturnal and during the day they roost in thickets and other dense cover. As a result of this I’m sure they are under - recorded thus making accurate population estimations difficult.
Their call is a single or double deep foghorn-like hoot and the young birds just make a single squeaky call like a gate hinge that needs oiling.
On Lesvos these owls favour Eucalyptus stands and Corsican Pine trees, they can also be found in Olive groves. However, all of these habitats are not easy when it comes to tracking them down in their day roosts.
Patience and careful examination of these trees is needed to find birds in exposed situations where a photograph is possible and having said that close approach is not acceptable because they are easily disturbed.
We were at a roosting site early one morning with no one else around thankfully, because there has been a big increase in bird tour companies on the island and if they are present then you are wasting your time. They are so noisy and intrusive – talking loudly, wearing light coloured clothes and pointing etc. which is not very good field craft. A fundamental principle of successful wildlife photography – KEEP QUIET!!
In about ten minutes we could see two chicks.
One chick is more advanced with many more flight feathers prominent.
After a bit more scrutiny we could see the adult female, she was never going to be far away keeping a watchful eye on the youngsters.
These are lovely birds, slighter in build than a Tawny Owl and with two prominent ear tufts (Not used for hearing) but from which they get their name.
Notice the birds orange eyes, this indicates they are crepuscular and nocturnal.
Owls with yellow eyes, such as the Short-eared Owl are diurnal.
Their call is a single or double deep foghorn-like hoot and the young birds just make a single squeaky call like a gate hinge that needs oiling.
On Lesvos these owls favour Eucalyptus stands and Corsican Pine trees, they can also be found in Olive groves. However, all of these habitats are not easy when it comes to tracking them down in their day roosts.
Patience and careful examination of these trees is needed to find birds in exposed situations where a photograph is possible and having said that close approach is not acceptable because they are easily disturbed.
We were at a roosting site early one morning with no one else around thankfully, because there has been a big increase in bird tour companies on the island and if they are present then you are wasting your time. They are so noisy and intrusive – talking loudly, wearing light coloured clothes and pointing etc. which is not very good field craft. A fundamental principle of successful wildlife photography – KEEP QUIET!!
In about ten minutes we could see two chicks.
One chick is more advanced with many more flight feathers prominent.
After a bit more scrutiny we could see the adult female, she was never going to be far away keeping a watchful eye on the youngsters.
These are lovely birds, slighter in build than a Tawny Owl and with two prominent ear tufts (Not used for hearing) but from which they get their name.
Notice the birds orange eyes, this indicates they are crepuscular and nocturnal.
Owls with yellow eyes, such as the Short-eared Owl are diurnal.