Owl fledglings ? SEO - actually LEO

[Mike F]

Came across these two little chaps in the plantation above Cod Beck reservoir. I heard repetitive calls and tracked them to a spot about 5 m high in a pine tree. Watched them for a couple of minutes, as they watched me, took a couple of photos in poor light and left. When I passed nearby on my way home they were still calling.

From the black mask and the ear tufts on the smaller bird, my Collins guide tells me that these are SEOs but I suppose they could possibly be tawny. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

[IanF]

Long-eared Owlets not long out the nest by the looks of it with so much down on them from the orange eyes, vertical black line through the facial disk, wing colour and even the tufts showing where the 'ears' will develop. The young owls often perch low down on pretty sturdy branches waiting for a food delivery. They're pretty loyal to an area so it may be worth a revisit to see how they're getting on - they're quite comical to watch when they're learning to fly as they bounce off trees and bushes trying to land.

The calls of the young owls are often described as being like a squeaky gate. If you hear a grunting or groaning call it's likely to be the parents calling to them to keep quiet.

A good find especially to see them in such good light.

[Mike F]

Ian,

thanks for the reply. Now you've pointed out the salient features the ID seems obvious. If you want to see them yourself I can give you the grid ref.

My only disagreement with your assessment was the light; it was terrible. Even at ISO 800 the photos lack sharpness. I'm using my new toy, the Panasonic GH2 with 100-300mm lens, equivalent to 200-600mm on a full frame. It's as light as a feather and can get fantastic shots in good light - e.g. this gannet at Bempton last week.

Mike

[IanF]

You're certainly getting some very good results. The exposure and focus looks spot on

I've just got in from watching some local LEO's. It's usually about dusk before they show though tonight was a little better. The light for your youngsters looks pretty good compared to what I've been working with at ISO 1600 and 1/60 sec though tonight I got away with ISO 800. I see what you mean though from the exif on your owlets 1/30 sec f5,6 ISO 800 which is equivalent to the ISO 1600 1/60 sec I used which is pretty gloomy!

[Mike F]

Just to prove that Ian was correct, here are a couple of shots of one of the adults taken this evening. The owlets have become more mobile and were fluttering about in the higher branches, while making contact calls. The adult made coughing calls to shut them up, then came out of cover to see what I was up to. It perched for a good while on a low branch, which allowed me to get these photos.

Mike