Tawny Owl Sculpture

Tawny Owl sculpture carved in sandstone

The Tawny Owls here are noisy at the moment.  Their calls are really quite musical, I’m hearing a number of different ‘hoots’, which is not surprising given it is their breeding season.  The familiar hooting of the male has several functions – as a territorial call, a courtship call and also an announcing call when bringing food to the female at the nest site.

I’ve also heard calls during the day – an unusual sound in the bright midday sunshine.  Though it is not unknown for the Tawny Owl to be heard vocalising in daylight hours, it seems the Jay makes a very good imitation owl hoot when it sees an owl!