BTOTawny Owl Point Survey

This survey began on 15th August and I did my first visits last night the 19th to 4 tetrads in TF47. I started on the Rigsby road just south of South Thoresby at 20.21, one minute after sunset. It was a beautiful evening with a half moon, little cloud and very gentle breeze. The first 10 minutes nothing was heard and I spent my time scanning for barn owls without success. The second 10 minutes things warmed up. One bird hooting away towards South Thoresby and another calling nearby, one territory down! Then moved to the north end of Motherwood in nearby Aby for tetrad 2 marvelling at the volume of rabbits on the road. Got out of the car and within 30 seconds a tawny started hooting vigorously about 50m away from me. Another responded faintly from the direction of Swinn Wood about 1 km away. The first bird moved south and called some more around 200m away. A Muntjac appeared by the roadside in the failing light and moved off. In the second 10 minutes. Some herons calling in the dark also livened things up. In the second 10 mins the Swinn Wood bird could be heard calling in the distance and a bird called much closer to my north west. So 2 more territories.

Moved on to my 3rd site east of Saleby further out on the marsh. No tawnies in 20 mins but one call from a barn owl made it worthwhile. The final tetrad was centred on Asserby, which was a village tick for me. A very narrow lane and not a peep from any owl. At 10pm a firework display irrupted to the north east and sounded like a barrage was being laid down. The only excitement was a badger running down the middle of the road.

Not a bad evening I thought, beats staying in all night and writing the Bird Report!

If you'd like to take part in the Tawny Owl Survey have a look at this link to find unallocated squares and full details: www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/project-owl