Large Owl - Horstead, Norfolk (1 Viewer)

L

Louis_P

Average Birder

• Apr 25, 2019

• #1

My friend saw an 'owl' in woodland area at dusk last night. He said it was very large ('1 foot and a half', he said - I am a bit sceptical of that description though). Here is the link for the RSPB forum post with photos but please do comment on here (I know there are better experts here =D).

Edit - probably the most useful thing is an audio clip of the hissing, found here.

 

Last edited: Apr 25, 2019

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Apr 25, 2019

• #2

Looks like a bog standard Tawny Owl to me.

 

L

Louis_P

Average Birder

• Apr 25, 2019

• #3

That's what I thought but he was adamant it was bigger but then again his sightings haven't always reliable.

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Apr 25, 2019

• #4

They can look bigger in bad light!

 

M

mark clements

New member

• Apr 25, 2019

• #5

PYRTLE said:

Looks like a bog standard Tawny Owl to me.

Click to expand...

I am pleased someone beat me to that reply.
We had a Tawny on the fence last week and my wife, used to them in flight, and to barn owls, commented on the very big owl...
It was normal to me, so there can be perception issues due to experience and environment.
H

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Apr 25, 2019

• #6

Also, when disturbed or threatened, like a lot of other birds and creatures they will puff up, posture and attempt to look much larger accompanied by the "hissing" alarm call to help ward off an attack or challenge. There is also the liklihood of nearby young owlets that have branched out from a nest hole.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Apr 25, 2019

• #7

Louis_P said:

That's what I thought but he was adamant it was bigger but then again his sightings haven't always reliable.

Click to expand...

Size is always wrong in cases where a birder is being asked for an opinion on a bird. "Blackbird-sized" covers everything from a Pied Wagtail to a Carrion Crow!

When it is wrong, its often an over-estimate. Tourist eagle anyone?

John