[ed78user]

Hello.

Last night while walking my dog on the fields in front of my home (Mid/North Suffolk) I caught sight of a Little Owl while scanning a large Oak tree I suspected of being a 'carrier' for some time.

Tonight I went back out at the same time and found 2 Little Owls on a branch. They didn't take long to notice me or the dog (a small terrier) and soon flew to the next dead tree back (which is a sad looking, dead, split-to- bits, old Oak).

I'm wondering if I return to visit them at around the same time or a little earlier each night if they may get a little more used to me and allow me a little closer?

Any ideas ?

Regards

Ant

[birdman]

My gut reaction is probably no - not exactly.

I say this, largely because I am assuming you aren't the only person who dogwalks in the area.

So I guess it's not YOU or YOUR DOG that make the owl flighty, just people and dogs in general... and probably cats and foxes, and whetever else they don't like.

Anyway, the point being, I don't think you will gain a great deal simply by becoming familiar... more by becoming stealthy, and to be frank, leaving your dog at home on occassion. (I'm a dog onwer myself, and it can make seeing birds a challenge!)

I'm guessing from your sign on that you own an ED78... I'm just waiting for mine to arrive, and everyone tells me it will knock my socks off. So as you'll have a free hand - no dog leash! - why not use it to carry your scope. Perhaps find a bit of a tricksy route that will get you within 'scope distance without being in the open too much, and then having a good look.

If the weather's good, and you have the time, find somewhere comfortable to sit, get the gear focussed on the branch and wait for the owl to "come to you".

Anyway, whatever you do, let us know how successful you are!

[RichUK]

Ant,

I would certainly visit without your dog and when you spot an Owl make very small movements - stand as still as you can then edge a little nearer in small steps. This way the owls don't feel so threatened. Try to do this if and when the Owl looks away. If the Owl makes bobbing head movements then stay perfectly still - if you don't it will fly. Try wearing something dull that blends well with your surroundings. You can get pretty close to Little Owls - but they won't take any nonsense

Rich.

[StevieEvans]

Hi Ant

If the owls were unsettled by your presence, then trying to get closer probably isnt such a good idea.
Littles are often creatures of habit, especially when it comes to favoured perches, couple this with the sound advice from BMan & Rich & you'll have a favourable situation.

Personally i dont think the dog is an issue (unless You are not in command/control of it)
An owl is far more wary of a Human than of a dog.
Previously my dogs (a boxer & a collie x lurcher) have wandered around in various Little Owl territories without them bothering the owls, even under the nest tree (oak) while i viewed from further away with scope.

One site in particular had 3pair of Littles & a pair of Long eareds, whilst i wouldn't allways let the dogs go ahead, sometimes it was to great advantage to allow them to..........
The Leo's occasionally came in close to mob the dogs, more so when the juveniles were taking their first flights.


Steve.

[birdman]

Originally Posted by StevieEvans

Personally i dont think the dog is an issue (unless You are not in command/control of it)
An owl is far more wary of a Human than of a dog.

Good point, which I completely forgot.

[RichUK]

It is a good point - you just have to be very in control of it. A dog isn't always going to be adept at fieldcraft An Owl will see any movement as either a threat or dinner.

Rich.

[StevieEvans]

Hi Rich
I dont think You're getting the point about the dogs.
(You can get close to all of the 5 common British owls, regardless of your dog/s)

You do not have to be very in control of it/them, as mine mooching around under nest trees demonstrates.

You should insert 'hunt' instead of 'fieldcraft' where the wolf (dog) is concerned and that scenario would only take place if the oppurtunity of an owl on the ground or a sickly/injured bird.
Wolves dont hunt birds in trees, therefore the owl 'knows' it (wolf/dog) isnt a threat.

The owl wont see any movement as either of your suggested ideas ie as (1)prey or as (2)predator unless:-

(1) its within food item size range

(2) the perceived (human) threat heads straight towards the owl and gets too close.

the perceived canine threat to the owl has been in place throughout time, unless the dog starts climbing up the tree or is running toward it like its tail is on fire then in my experience the owl (whatever species) will stay put. It knows its safe from a 'wolf' if its off the ground

The human 'threat' is a different matter altogether.

Occasionally, as i have seen, it can be the dog/fox which is threatened by either of the eared species. This is also already well documented.

Anyway hope Ant uses everyones advise to good effect.

Regards & Good Owling

Steve.

[RichUK]

Steve,

I have no doubt you could get close to owls with a dog. I (perhaps vaguely) was merely pointing out that you could have more luck without a dog, not just because of any percieved threat by the owl, but by not having a dog you have one less thing to worry about. Also, we are talking Little Owls here - who can spend a fair amount of time on or near the ground.

I mentioned fieldcraft as more of a joke - hence the winky face. Therefore I won't insert 'hunt' instead of 'fieldcraft' since that's not what I meant.

I stand by my statement 'an Owl will see any movement as either a threat or dinner' - albeit a pretty sweeping remark. This could apply to any animal. Any movement could be a possible threat. The owl (or any other animal) will weigh up its options and decide on an action. Fine, it might decide the dog isn't a threat and stay put, but it still uses basic animal instincts.

I have to say I am not arguing with what you said, merely pointing out what I meant in my second reply above. You obviously know your owl stuff I guess everyone has their methods - mine is fieldcraft. To end my contribution to this thread I've attached a pic I took of a Little Owl recently.

Rich.

[ed78user]

Hello chaps.

Thanks for the comments/advice.

Your right about the ED78. I do have one and I shall be taking it with me tonight as it's a fine early evening here. If I get a pic' or two I'll post them later.

Regarding the dog, I feel I may as well go out throwing sticks of dynamite around for all the help he gives me. BUT - he needs his walks.
There are probably no other people who walk their dogs in the vicinity of the owls as it's a little off the beaten track (as is my home/the fields).

As these owls were sitting on the branch 'sunbathing' in the early evening together are they likely to be juveniles or adults ? Would a pair of adult little's be sitting together 2nd August?

Regards

Ant

[scampo]

I think it might be the dog, too. I certainly managed to get quite close top a pair near to Rutland Water recently; they look much better close up!

[pauco]

Hi Ant, we have a pair of little owls near us, and they are not to happy with being up close. So i find the best way all round is to give them some space and peace of mind, get your scope & tripod pick a nice coverd spot set up and bring them to you. You will get some cracking views of them, without any distress to the owls. good luck, happy owling.
bert.

[StevieEvans]

Hi Rich,
guess my answer was a little heavy...& apologise.
I instantly surmised you were one of these 'anti dog birders' who have never owned a one.
Nice photo, bird doesnt appear concerned at all.
What age do you think?

Scampo
Some Little owls look better close up.......the pair we're going to have a look at now have a Peregrine family of 4 living within 80metres of them so we prefer a more distant view (125m)
We have other situations where we keep back too...
Where a Little owl pair share their enterance hole with a pair of Barn Owl.
Where a traditional Little owl pair nest within 50metres of a Hawthorn nesting Long eared.

My dogs never made any difference to the owls ive seen. Though they've scared away counless Jack Snipe & Woodcock.

#Once had a Little owl fly over the wall into an HMP Prison......& Have you seen the Dogs They've Got...!

going, going, gone.
SE

[scampo]

I'm envious of you, Stevie. I'm lucky to find a little owl, and luckier still to add a barn owl!

[ed78user]

Went back to the site of the Little's and they were on their 'usual' spot.

I decided that I would go as close as I dare (which was actually quite far away) just to get a pic'. And then move in a little at a time from that point.

However after just minutes a retired gent from Scotland holidaying at the farm decided to pay me a visit with his dog and blew my cover and spooked the birds.

Same tactic tomorrow night.

Ant

[RichUK]

Nice one, Ant!

No worries, Steve..no harm done!

Rich.

[StevieEvans]

Ant
Nice pic.
What do you think about the age of your bird from the photo?
Imho i think it could well be one of this years youngsters.
SE.

[ed78user]

Hello again.

Rich - What did you take that Little Owl picture with? Were you in a car? (Only ask as I have only managed to get pic's that large whilst being in a car.)

Steve - I am of the opinion that the owls I'm watching at the moment may be youngsters. (But I'm no expert.)

As there are two of them at least how long would they stay in the parents territory once fledged?

Last night (Thursday) I went to see if they were about as usual. As there was no sun to bathe in they were not evident. I waited and watched for around 15 minutes. Whilst looking through my bin's at the Oak a curious thing happened. A small feather floated down into my view and continued down to the ground below. After another 10 min's I decided to go and check the tree out by walking past it. The feather was a Little Owl primary flight feather!

This evening was altogether much more pleasent. The Owls were about, my dog was very well behaved and sat still for 1/2 an hour while I watched through my scope. Even manged a better shot.

Cheers

Ant

[RichUK]

Ant,

No, I wasn't in a car when I took that pic. I used a Nikon D70 and telephoto.

Rich.

[scampo]

You know, Ant - I've never seen a little owl away from an oak tree for long. I've seen them on posts and on manure heaps (lovely...) but they always fly back to their beloved old oak, and usually an ancient, decrepit looking one at that!

[nigelblake]

Little Owls will often sit tight if you act as if you have not seen them, by doing this it is possible to get very close to them, they use their cryptic plumage to good effect most of the time, and will not fly if they think they have not been seen.
The Song Thrushes in my local church yard, though not camouflaged as well as LOs do a similar thing, allowing people to walk past them very close, but if you stop to look/watch them they are off like a shot.

[scampo]

It's to do with the eyes, I reckon. Eye contact is all to humans, too!

::

[IanF]

Coincidently on the subject of dogs and owls I was talking to a seasoned birder last night at my local ponds, just as we'd spotted a SEO. He reckons he always takes his dog out with him when owl watching as the owls normally come over to investigate. A black labrador he had.

[StevieEvans]

Ant, your 2nd pic looks like an Adult.

Scampo, Prefered nesting tree species in our area Ash then Oak. Holes in Quarries are first choice though, where available.

Ian, heard there were 4Seo together on the side of the tip at Cowpen Marsh last night. The guys right, Dogs can be a big advantage for close views of both the eared's.

Had a Tawny glide over the farmyard at dusk during the week, straight over the top of the plastic decoy Eagle owl. (Been there a month now - the crows are still scared of it though!)

SE.

[scampo]

I know no one here would allow it, but there are many heathland areas near here where dogs are allowed by some folk to scamper around at will. In that same area, pipits, willow warblers, partridges and skylarks try to breed.

Stevie - you've seen a few little owls in your time by the sound of it. I think I might have seen them in old ash trees but its the oak around here that is their favourite by far. I've never seen them in a quarry yet. You've got a much more bird friendly county up there, though, regarding habitat, I would say and probably have a much higher density of birds.

[StevieEvans]

Steve
Maybe? we do have diverse habitats.
The Bishop 'Bee-eater' Middleham area has a healthy population of Little owls, i know of 4 successful pairs this year (i only visit about twice a month)

The industrial past has left many oppurtunities for birds & wildlife. The disused quarries are often undisturbed & support Owls & Falcons. Unfortunately several are being used as landfill tips, whilst owls still in residence!
The old pit heaps are just about all reclaimed, mainly with planting schemes this has greatly helped the eared owls aswell as being good for Green Woodpecker.

Tawny owl is regarded as the most abundant owl locally, though personally i disagree & think Little is the most widespread & numerous.

Ps. i can think of heathland areas with a wider range of threats than loose dogs...!!

SE.