Hunting, hooting and swooping owls as autumn nears

Local photographers have shared their images of hooting, hunting and swooping owls, as autumn closes in.

Meteorological autumn began on Tuesday, while astronomical autumn starts with the autumn equinox on 23 September.

Dan Watson said spotting three short-eared owls hunting on moorland near Middleton-in-Teesdale was "one of his most memorable encounters".

While Ashley Johnson, from Middlesbrough, described an "amazing, surreal experience" sharing an evening with a barn owl at Low Barns Nature Reserve, Bishop Auckland, last week.

England is home to four native owls - the tawny, the barn, the long-eared and the short-eared.

The little owl, introduced to the UK in the 19th century, has a height of about 22cm and can be spotted along hedgerows, on farmland and in parkland, the RPSB said.

Anthony Skordis said short-ears were "his favourite species of owls", after capturing one perched on a post in Weardale.

"As a photographer you always want to get great photos, but it's just such an amazing experience watching them in the wild," he said.

Tarquin Pentecast said seeing barn owlets on the west coast in Cumbria was thanks to a young farming couple who "actively encourage the owls to breed" with their installation of nesting boxes in barns.

"It's a win-win for everyone," he said.

Darren Hudson said he and his partner Deborah Poxton were driving near Tunstall Reservoir in Weardale and had a "remarkable and unexpected encounter" with a little owl.

"It gracefully flew from a nearby tree and settled on a post... I was able to capture this moment from within the car, ensuring not to disturb the bird," he said.

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