Saturday was my fifth and first successful try at catching an adult Long-eared Owl (LEO). I went out at dusk – with visiting ringers Liz & Andy Scott – and set a large mesh net next to a stream & hedgerow, and once it was dark played their calls and that of a squeaking mouse. After an hour and a half (and we were about to pack up) we found this fine adult male LEO in the net. It was ringed, biometrics taken, and released in to the night.
LEOs are poorly understood as they are unobtrusive and not as easy to find as other owls. They move between the UK and other parts of north-western Europe. However, very few are ringed (<100 in the UK in 2017). Hopefully, this is just the first as we try to learn more about this stunning and secretive owl.
Jim
Yes I'm told there are quite a few round here and you'd never notice them. I never have!
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