Twoo Twit

Product Information

Tawnies are by far the most common owl species in the UK, with an estimated population of 50,000 pairs (2005). Nevertheless, they are amber-listed as a Species of Conservation Concern in the UK as a result of recent breeding and winter population and range declines (Eaton et al, 2015). Another great example of wild song is the curlew display, "bubbling". The best time to hear this is spring, when they go up on to moorlands to breed. They nest on the ground, and because there are no trees - nowhere for them to perch - they sing on the wing.

One of my favourite sea birds. They make such a characterful sound, you can't help but laugh. They're a challenge to record because they nest underground, inside a honeycomb of burrows. Down at the bottom of the burrow, they sit and chat to the neighbours through the thin walls with this lovely growling, purring sound.

Habitats

Where and when to hear them: Peak District, Northumberland, highlands of Scotland, north Wales, April to May. Mistle thrush Widely distributed across much of Great Britain, they are absent only from islands (Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Northern and Western Isles, Scillies etc.), and uplands where there are few or no trees. As might be expected from a species unwilling or unable to undertake short sea crossings they are entirely absent from Ireland.

Tawny Owls are primarily a woodland species, but have adapted to live almost anywhere there are trees, including city parks, wooded urban and suburban gardens, farmland hedgerows and copses, as well as more extensive areas of woodland and forestry. The densest populations are found in deciduous, broad-leaved woodland, but they can also be found in coniferous forest and scrub habitats across both pastoral and arable landscapes.The size of the territory ranges between 12 and 20 hectares (30 to 50 acres) depending on the amount of suitable habitat available. Typical lifespan is 4 years with breeding in the 2 nd calendar year. Females are generally bigger and heavier than males.

Where and when to hear them: British sea cliffs north of Scarborough, Pembrokeshire coast, Farne Islands, end of March to July. RookThe reasons for the declines in breeding and winter populations and ranges are poorly understood. Changes in woodland management, increasing urbanisation and/or the influence of climate change on small mammal abundance could be factors, but more research is required. However, the following conservation measures could be of some help, not just for Tawny Owls but for a number of other species as well;