As some of you may know the Long-eared Owls have been around in Haverton for quite a while now though unfortunately they haven't settled into a favoured area as they did last year. This has proved a big headache for us as we would like as many people to see wildlife on the reserve as possible but not at the detriment to the bird itself. As we didn't feel they were settled (and often not present at all as best we could make out) it made sense not to make this news public to prevent anyone actively looking for them and potentially disturbing, either accidentally or by getting too close.
The decision to do this was justified on Monday morning when a group of visitors had walked the length of the barbed wire fence and were standing within 20-30 metres of a roosting bird. Needless to say it wasn't there this morning.
We will, as we have been for the last couple of months, be checking the scrub on a daily basis to try find any owls. There's now a chance that they won't settle so the owls will not be guaranteed like they were last year. If they are present, we will let reception know and we will set up a watch point either at the 5 bar gate or along the cycleway. This will be up and running from 10:30-15:00. If there are now owls found prior to ten we will not set up the watch point but you are welcome to have a look yourself from the cycleway or 5 bar gate. Please do not stray into the scrub or leave the cycleway.
If you have any questions please get in touch on here or e-mail me on toby.collett@rspb.org.uk
On the way down to check for Long-eared Owls this morning I was very dissapointed to see a birder wandering around in the Haverton Scrub. Needless to say when I went to check for the owls this morning there were non in the usual spot. It would be impossible for me to say the absence was caused by this birder but it is easy for me to say it's a likely cause, something I couldn't say if he wasn't there.
Last year we successfully managed the owl watchpoint on a daily basis for nearly three months! At least one owl could be seen every day during this time. This year, due to visitors straying off the path to find them both during and out of hours, the owls have not settled and we have not been able to share these magnificent birds with the wider birding public.
Last year well over 2,000 people came specifically to see the owls and it would be a shame that a handful of individuals could ruin it for everyone.
Please do not come and look for the owls in the Haverton Scrub, either out of or during our opening times. You are more than welcome to have a look from the cycleway and from the wooden 5 bar gate. If they are present we will do our utmost to make sure they can be seen. Because they were well managed last year they were still being seen in March so there is no rush to see them now. Letting them settle will give you and others the best chance of seeing them. Please spread the word amongst your friends and around any of your local birding clubs. We will try and get some photos of anyone seen in the scrub up on here so if you recognise them and know who they are you can have a chat with them about where they can go.
If you have any questions please get in touch or contact me through the reserve.