Keeping Nature’s Secret – My Long-Eared Owl Journey

This journey with the long-eared owls almost started by accident.

I had a feeling they were somewhere in this area for a while, but despite looking for them, I had never actually seen one. I spent time searching the woods with no luck at all and began wondering if maybe I was wrong.

Then one evening, while sitting quietly watching hares and rabbits, a long-eared owl suddenly appeared out of nowhere and flew straight towards me.

I couldn’t believe my luck.

I didn’t manage any photographs that night, but I didn’t care. That one moment confirmed my suspicions — they really were here.

After that, I spent around a week searching the woodland properly. Then finally, one day, I spotted the female owl. She wasn’t perched in the perfect spot, but she was sitting beautifully in the sunshine and it made for a lovely photo opportunity.

More importantly, I now knew I was searching in the right area.

I took a couple of quick photographs and left her alone to relax.

The search continued and then one evening, on my way home, I heard something incredible — chicks calling.

Perfect, I thought.

I began searching the area carefully, although I couldn’t see anything that day. Still, hearing the chicks again confirmed I was close.

Over the following days I continued listening for the calls and slowly narrowed the area down. Eventually, after a careful look through the binoculars, I could finally make out a nest high in the trees.

I waited until things had gone quiet before walking past the area and there, sat low in the shrubs beneath the nest, was the male owl keeping a watchful eye over his family.

It was an amazing moment.

I quietly moved on and returned a couple of days later. The male was sat in his usual place, ever watchful, so I took a quick photograph and left him alone again.

Since then, I have spent many evenings sitting in a nearby field waiting and watching. Watching the hares, the rabbits, the foxes and, of course, hoping to see the owls out hunting.

I have seen one of the adults hunting, although I never managed to get any photographs of it. Truthfully, moments like that are often better experienced than photographed anyway.

As the weeks passed, I continued listening to the chicks calling. Eventually their calls led me to another area and I quietly left them undisturbed.

A couple of days later I returned, hoping I might see them.

To my amazement, they were still there.

The chicks had now left the nest and were branching through the trees. I managed to take a few photographs before quietly leaving once again.

It probably seems crazy to spend so much time searching and waiting, only to stay for a few minutes when the moment finally arrives. The truth is, all I really wanted to do was sit there with them and photograph them for hours.

But that wouldn’t be fair on the owls.

Their welfare must always come first.

These birds have worked so hard to raise their young while keeping their nest site hidden and protected. The last thing they need is unnecessary disturbance.

So I took my photographs, appreciated the moment and left them in peace.

I won’t be returning to the nesting area now. I truly hope the chicks make it safely to adulthood and that this incredible owl family continues to thrive.

For me, simply being trusted enough to witness a small part of their world has been more than enough.

 

Some moments in nature stay with you forever.

This will be one of them.