This is what were looking for......a close up of a Long-eared Owl chick (Dario Fernandez-Bellon)
Over the past couple of weeks we have visited 35 Long-eared Owl sites, mainly across Galway, Kerry, north Cork and West Offaly, where we have either recorded territorial adults earlier this season or confirmed successful nesting last year. So far we have only heard young at two of these sites, both of which were single chicks.
Ringing two Long-eared chicks at a successful nest in west Offaly in 2012 (John Lusby)
Long-eared's can change nest sites within their territory from one year to the next, and as well as this it has been a late season so calling young might still appear at some of these sites. However in general it seems to be quite a poor breeding year.
Below are some clips of Long-eared Owl nest visits and ringing from last year. Detailed survey work and subsequent monitoring of pairs from early spring is starting to provide new insights on the nesting ecology of this elusive owl. Last years findings were very positive in terms of densities and breeding success, but its a different story so far this year.
Visiting a nest and ringing young at a site in Duhallow, north Cork in 2012 (Michael O'Clery)
The chicks can be quite surreal looking....and at times more resemble a fluffy toy as opposed to a real bird, and one which will develop into a skilled predator at that!
Long-eared Owl chick ringed at site in Galway in 2012....yes he's winking at you! (John Lusby)
We will be continuing survey and monitoring until the end of August, so will hopefully pick up more successful sites in the coming weeks. The calls of Long-eared Owl young are not too easy to miss (listen here), if you hear any then please let us know!
