Jonathan Williams
Well-known member
I can't remember where I read that this year is shaping up to be a good owl year due to an explosion in rodent populations. It's quite possible I read it here so apologies if I'm stealing anyone's thunder.
It certainly rang true with me as during the early spring period, when I was out in the woods searching for woodpeckers, the floor seemed alive with little furry beasts rustling in the dead leaves. It's not something that I've ever noticed before and it didn't sink in until I read about other people saying the same thing. Now it is much less noticable with the explosion of spring vegetation but it was very much evident in mid March.
Could this year be a good Tengmalm's Owl breeding year on the near continent leading to an irruption or out of range records? Is the rustling furry beast situation the same in the forests in Scandinavia too, or do they find it more difficult to rustle in dry pine needles?
Cheers
Jonathan
It certainly rang true with me as during the early spring period, when I was out in the woods searching for woodpeckers, the floor seemed alive with little furry beasts rustling in the dead leaves. It's not something that I've ever noticed before and it didn't sink in until I read about other people saying the same thing. Now it is much less noticable with the explosion of spring vegetation but it was very much evident in mid March.
Could this year be a good Tengmalm's Owl breeding year on the near continent leading to an irruption or out of range records? Is the rustling furry beast situation the same in the forests in Scandinavia too, or do they find it more difficult to rustle in dry pine needles?
Cheers
Jonathan
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