Barn Owl - A New Garden Tick

12th June 2021

Our garden backs on to a field which most years is used for a hay crop, so at various times of the year it is an ideal length for hunting Barn Owls. Despite that, having lived here for 20 years, I have never seen or heard a Barn Owl. But the other evening I saw a white bird flying along the far hedgerow which during the winter would normally be a gull, but in summer?

I shot out of my chair and ran to the window and there it was, a fabulous Barn Owl quartering the field. I ran even faster up the stairs to get my camera, down the garden, unlocked the back gate and stepped into the field. By then of course it was miles away down the far end of the field, but did eventually turn round and flew back along the hedge and into the field allowing some shots to be taken. Here is a selection.

This is my favourite shot as the dark background shows off the owl better.