by Nigel Blake
Do you pack up your bins and head for the pub once the sun has dipped below the horizon? It's an easy option with the short days and cold nights upon us. However, about a year ago, returning from an RSPB. group Christmas dinner, I had a close encounter with a Barn Owl, which at that time was the best view I had ever had of this enigmatic bird. Fellow birder Steve Blain was with me that night. Fired up by such a close view, I rushed home to get my cameras, hoping that it might be possible to photograph this bird.
On returning, with camera, flash and torch at the ready we were stunned to find the Barn Owl in the same place, but as soon as I lifted the camera it flew, not far though. I gingerly moved the car towards it. As I approached the bird flew straight at my open window, but dropped to the ground and caught something. I'm not sure what, as I was a little concerned that the owl was going to attack me through the window. Having dispatched its prey, the bird flew up to a fence post and continued surveying the verge.
Steve shone the torch on the owl and in order to frame the bird well, I carefully got out of the car. Shaking with disbelief I edged close enough to get some stunning shots.
Since that night, Steve and I have been out (as a result of a mis-spelt text message) "woling" 2 or 3 nights a week and have been amazed by some of the most addictive birding we have experienced. So what's the technique?
Firstly, It will take a while to get your "night-eyes" and you may need a few trips before you are successful.
Barn owls like low exposed perches, like fence posts and small thinly branched trees with wide verges or set-aside fields.
Tawny owls seem to prefer bare stumpy broken branches or the steps on telegraph poles and are found in more wooded areas.
Little owls can be found almost anywhere, but all three species are very faithful to favoured perches so once you've found a good site it is worth paying regular visits.
I always use the car as a hide, this means that all the areas visited are on 'little-used' roads, and mostly it's best to go out after pub closing time - this seems to fit in with the birds activities as they appear to feed soon after dark, then rest and digest, for about two hours before being active again. After that they seem to rest and feed later, usually around dawn.
I now use a 1/4 million candlepower re-chargeable lamp which is bright enough to allow auto-focus to work, and a single camera mounted flashgun on my Canon E.O.S.3 with 100-400mm i.s. zoom lens. I take two bean bags one for resting the lamp on, one for the camera, and having an open sun (moon ?) roof on the car is handy.
Owls aren't the only things you will see. During the past year I have had staggering views of roosting Pheasants, Woodcock, Lapwings feeding, Nightjar, Foxes, Badgers, Muntjac and Roe Deer.
click here for yet more beautiful night owl photos