Scops owl at loch of strathbeg

[rimmer]

one of the scops owl just before it was released at loch of strathbeg RSPB

[steve_nova]

Is this the bird that was found on a ship or an oil rig?

[Michael Frankis]

So how many people turned up, and what did the bird do on release?

Michael

[rimmer]

yes it was found on a oil rig then taken into care
only about fifty people turned up mostly local birders

on release the bird flew into some bushes and wasn't seen again

[rogerk]

one of the scops owl just before it was released at loch of strathbeg RSPB
I wouldn't tick it, I don't think. It's a bit 'forced' for a tick (isn't it?).
Got one on me Euro list anyway.

[tom mckinney]

only about fifty people turned up mostly local birders



I believe you Rimmer, but isn't it strange how things get exaggerated. I was told there were over 300 people!!! Or was it 2 million...? I can't remember now.

"I've told you a million times. Do not exaggerate!" (Rik Mayall)

By the way, you can't tick this bird. No way!

[CJW]

He can tick what the Hell he wants.

[tom mckinney]

Blimey Chris, I was joking.

[Tim Allwood]

lets have a clean fight boys!

[Binocularface]

Hi All

It is always an interesting quandry when a situation like this occurs. Is it 'ethical' to tick a bird that was picked up 100 miles from Aberdeen (in British Waters of course ;) ), rehabilitated then released in a completely different area to where it was initially found? I guess this is between one-self and ones conscience (luckily this dilemma does not affect me as I don't have one ;) ).
It's funny though although the Scops Owl is possibly an extreme example; but how many people struggled with the ethics of ticking the Norfolk Rock Thrush after it had been released after falling prey to a Sparrowhawk? Also how different to this was the Taiga Flycatcher after all the bird was trapped on the headland at Flamborough and released at South Landing (Flamborough).

My personal view is they are all credible ticks, they are all wild birds after all! The Rock Thrush was before my time, but both the Taiga Flycatcher and the Scops Owl will sit nicely on my lists!

I am glad I made the 5hr trip up to Loch of Strathebeg to see what has to be one of the most striking and charasmatic birds I have ever seen (see pics attached). Of course the real reason we made the trip was for Northern Damselfly of which we got superb views, the Scops was just a bonus........;)

Have fun
Tristan

[tom mckinney]

I have the Holme Rock Thrush on my list, but I was away in Portugal when the Taiga Fly popped up. I would have ticked it.

I just think that this Scops Owl is un-tickable. I could have gone quite easily, but why? I have no problem with it being released infront of a crowd, but it was caged, flown 100 miles and then released. If it was found and released at Strathbeg then fair enough. 100 miles is a hell of long way. By those rules you could trap the Rock Bunting that was in Holland, fly it to Spurn and release it.

Wait for a "proper" one Tristan.

[Tim Allwood]

good logic Tom

all on my world list.....on the breeding ground boys! No doubt there......

[edenwatcher]

I also consider it untickable - 100 miles is too far from the point of capture.
I went to see the release of the bird in Renfrewshire in 1998 (about a mile from where it was picked up injured) and I have it on my list. As Tristan says hugely charismatic wee bird.

Rob

[tom mckinney]

Does anyone know why the Owl was trapped anyway? I know it was 10% under weight, but seeing as it was mid-migration that is not really unusual.

[Binocularface]

I just think that this Scops Owl is un-tickable. I could have gone quite easily, but why? I have no problem with it being released infront of a crowd, but it was caged, flown 100 miles and then released. If it was found and released at Strathbeg then fair enough. 100 miles is a hell of long way. By those rules you could trap the Rock Bunting that was in Holland, fly it to Spurn and release it.
Fair comment Tom, but I do not entirely agree with your Rock Bunting comment. Holland is not part of Britain but the Oil Platform where the Scops was!

Wait for a "proper" one Tristan.
I am sure I will have an opportunity to see another individual at some point. I go to see birds because I WANT too rather than because I NEED too. The Scops Owl release was a good opportunity to see a Scops Owl which is why I made the trip up (plus I could combine this trip with other interests).
I guess the bottom line is I am not (and never will be) a competetive lister, so I do not play by anyone elses rules.

Horses for courses and all that!

Have Fun
Tristan

[tom mckinney]

I guess the bottom line is I am not (and never will be) a competetive lister, so I do not play by anyone elses rules.


Surely the allure of having it on your British list was an incentive to see it? If you just "wanted" it, then they are an absolute doddle on the continent and less than 5 hours away.

[Binocularface]

Does anyone know why the Owl was trapped anyway? I know it was 10% under weight, but seeing as it was mid-migration that is not really unusual.Anybody with more info on the happenings feel free to correct me but I think the bird was in quite a poor state when it was initially picked up. The original plan was to release it on the Sunday 6th June but when it was weighed on Saturday 5th June it was 10% under its ideal weight which is why the release was postponed until Wednesday the 9th June.


Have Fun
Tristan

[Binocularface]

Surely the allure of having it on your British list was an incentive to see it? If you just "wanted" it, then they are an absolute doddle on the continent and less than 5 hours away.
Hi Tom

Of course the allure of having it on my British List (or more accuratly seeing it in Britain) was some sort of incentive to see the bird, but there have been many birds that I have not seen that I could have if I had wanted too. I am not in the position to 'nip across' to the continent for one anyway!
My point is that as I am not a competetive lister I do not HAVE to play by anyone elses rules, thus I can come to my own decision wether to tick the bird or not.

Have Fun
Tristan

[Tanny]

What if that Owl comes South into England and seen by a birder, can it be ticked then.
Was it rung before released.

[Binocularface]

What if that Owl comes South into England and seen by a birder, can it be ticked then.
Was it rung before released.
Yes the bird was ringed!

[rockjumper]

Ticking the owl or not. Its up to you isn't it? Example; 4 years ago tried everything to see Northern Saw-whet Owl. We dipped until that is the ringers at Whitefish Point birds Obs woke us with one in the hand. 20 meters from where they trapped it. 2 of the car ticked it, I didn't - still haven't seen one despite extensive US list.
A little later Yellow Rail led in by ranger using 2 stones tapped together till it was that close he picked it up - ticked that one. 'Maggot' didn't go out into the Marsh, so the ranger to it to him in the car - again he was happy to dob it on the list - good on him!
Last example. California Condor. US rules say not until they breed in the wild - are you joking?????? We all ticked the ones we saw, and my kids saw them again this year - they are the only birds on their US lists.
I know there are self proclaimed legislators on the UK birding scene what you can....what you can't. At the end of the day we all do this for fun and get great satisfaction from a seeing a new species, or an old one on home soil. I say cobblers to the establishment and tick what your conscience tellls you is right!
The main thing is to keep birding!!!!

[Docmartin]

People can tick budgies and guineafowl if they want, it's a free country at least until the revolution. Doesn't mean other people can't laugh, though. A bird that would have been feeding the fishes in the N sea?? Might have well stopped at Edinburgh zoo and completed your list!