Presently these birds are not recognised as a British species, thought to be escaped "pets" (now that's a whole other rant) or rare vagrants from the continent. But this one lives near Otley, West Yorkshire...
...sharing habitat with Red Kites.
There are now reported to be 4 pairs of Eagle owls breeding in the Forest of Bowland. This 2005 BBC report refers to a programme about the controversial status of the species (here). Roy Dennis has found historical records from the 18th and 19th century relating to Eagle owls in Britain. Long-eared and Short-eared owls routinely migrate from continental Europe to Britain (an individual ringed in the BOG area was recovered in Spain some years ago), though other owls, notably Ural, Great grey and Pygmy owls, range right up to the North Sea or Channel coasts but are not recorded in Britain, similarly British Tawny owls don't cross the Irish Sea.However, there appears to be a strengthening case for the acceptance of these birds on to the British list and, therefore, for their protected status (see my previous two posts). The female of a pair breeding on MoD land in North Yorkshire was shot dead in January last year using large-gauge shot of the type used for killing foxes. This would appear to rule out a case of mistaken identity as a gamebird. As if!
Less controversial are Tawny Owls which friends were ringing at Timble Ings on Friday night.
While we were there I saw some new birds for the year list:- Cuckoo
- Short-eared Owl
- Nightjar
Its weird enough reading about Red Kites in Wharefdale, but Eagle Owl? Nightjar? What's going on!
ReplyDeleteNice to see the Short-Eared Owls are still at Timble. I went camping there on a Duke Of Edinburgh thing just over 30 years ago and saw my first SEO as I stuck my head out of the tent. I got Redstart there too - not sure if they are still around.
Hi DD, nice to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteThe Kites are now widespread locally as a result of the Harewood reintroduction programme Nightjar have been visiting an area of clear-fell in the plantation for at least the last couple of years and Eagle Owl, well who knows? Locally escaped or naturally recolonised from the continent. We'll never know until someone does a proper study.
I've not seen Redstart at Timble but I guess they're around. I saw my first of this year at Malham while watching Peregine yesterday.
I saw the programme about Eagle Owls and I share your implied outrage at the pomposity of the BTO denying them resident status. The fact is, they are here, and are breeding here. How they arrived is, to me, immaterial. ALL birds, of whatever species, have arrived here since the end of the ice age. By the BTOs logic, you could say none of them are native.
ReplyDeleteI find the whole argument ridiculous. Once a species is breeding successfully, it deserves resident status, and I believe all species deserve the same degree of statutory protection, irrespective of status.
The issue is very similar to that surrounding wild boar, which are living all over England, even in Yorkshire! They are exclusively escapees from farms but in some places have established breeding populations of several years standing. Despite this, and the fact that they are historically native until fairly recently, English Nature have so far denied them the status of a resident species, classifying them instead as an alien species. This gives anyone the right to hunt, shoot or trap the beasts, providing they abide by animal cruelty laws (yeah right!).
I did a blog entry about the wild boar, which can be seen here...
http://brianlt.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-frightful-boar.html
The excellent website which inspired me to post about them can be found here. Have a look and see if wild boar have been spotted near you!
http://www.britishwildboar.org.uk/
"Outrage" is a bit strong Bri! I try not to do outrage too much these days, better to pick my battles and preserve a sensible blood pressure and modicum of sanity!
ReplyDelete"Puzzlement" might be nearer the mark. I can see that there's genuine concern about threats to existing and in some cases, endangered, wildlife. Though this bird was sharing habitat with Red Kites.
OK. Not outrage then ;-)
ReplyDeleteMild indignation.