The Little Owl apparently goes under-reported in the UK, only 70 nest records have been submitted to the BTO, and it is not specifically monitored by any of the NERF Raptor Groups. In order to try and redress some of this under-reporting, at least on a local level, I have volunteered to collect and collate records of Little Owl sightings in Calderdale. These records will be submitted to the Calderdale bird record-keeper (Nick Dawtrey) and to the Calderdale Raptor Group at the end of the year.
So can I please ask anyone who sees Little Owls in Calderdale to not only note it for their own records, but also to send details to the email address given at the top of this page (info@calderdalebirds.co.uk)
Please provide the location and number of bird(s) seen, the date and time and any comments you can add about its behaviour (feeding, roosting, nesting etc.). A grid reference would be helpful but is not necessary as long as the location is described. Little Owls can be seen during the day perching quite openly on walls, fences and wires so please keep a look out for them.
Thanks everyone, and I look forward to receiving your sightings.
6 comments:
There are about 4 pairs around Northowram and shelf..will have a look in the spring to see if they are ok..
Great stuff Andy - thanks.
They seem to be absent from several regular sites after this freezing cold weather. Just one so far this year, at Withens Head. Will keep you posted Jeff.
Great idea, Jeff. I sadly picked a dead one up on Sunday 12th Dec. in that terrible cold spell. It was under the M62 at Outlane, where the road goes through to Blackley.
Sorry, don't have the right map to get the grid ref.
Showed it at the HSS meeting on the 14th (it was undamaged) then sent it to the Lancaster lab we heard about at the NERF conference.
They said they would give me the results of the tests, and my postage back. Still waiting.
Hi Jeff
Do you have national contact deatils for such records ? Little Owl is quite common here on the Llyn Penisula. I do know of one nest site at a mates farm from 2010,they rear young annually in the same place.
I don't have any national contacts but the BTO have a nest record scheme, perhaps they will be able to help.
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