26


Nature Notes W


Lots to enjoy in the Great Outdoors


inter can be a tough time for wildlife as food supplies dwindle and light fades. However with bare trees and hedges this is a good


time for bird watching as they become easier to spot. Look out for birds feeding on the different berry- laden trees and branches, spot the red berry on the female holly tree, the white berry of mistletoe and the black berries of ivy in deep winter. By day, particularly when temperatures are low,


foxes can be seen looking for food. Foxes feed on small mammals, insects, earthworms and even fruit in the countryside and discarded food in urban areas. The mating season occurs in winter and at this time the vixen produces an unmistakable blood-curdling scream at night.


Barn Owl flying


OWLS


Winter is a good time for spotting owls. They are often more visible as they extend their hunting hours into daylight in order to find the extra food they need to get them through the colder months.


Did you know?


● 5 most common species in the UK: Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl and Short-eared Owl.


● A group of owls is called a parliament. ● Barn owls screech – Tawny owls hoot. ● An owl can turn its head up to 270 degrees.


● The barn owl can fly almost silently and it has the most sensitive hearing of any creature tested.


● Barn Owls really do like to live in barns. They also like to nest and roost in many different types of rural buildings and tree hollows. Many new farm buildings do not provide suitable places for barn owls to nest, so landowners are encouraged to provide suitable nest boxes.


There is lots more information on Barn Owls, including plans and a video on how to build your own nest box (or you can just buy them from) www.barnowltrust.org.uk


Barn Owl Nestbox


OWLS IN THE LIBRARY! Come and meet Torbay Owls & Company’s incredible birds of prey in Dartmouth Library at The Flavel. Their handlers will be there to discuss everything from natural habitats to life in captivity, their diets and breeding to rescue and training. Wednesday 24 January 2019


2.30-4.30pm Drop in session. £2 per person.


Tawny Owl


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132