Norman Verona Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 The owl that lives on our farm is flying around all day long, very low and swooping around the fields. From this I suspect it's feeding young as they are normally nocturnal. The male (I assume it's the male) lives in my workshop and there is crap and pellets all over the 7. I've covered the Midget with a plastic sheet. Be nice to see a few youngsters but I'm surprised it's so early. Mind you it was much warmer a few weeks ago. Quote
pistonbroke Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 We have a wide variety of feathered friends visiting our garden bird feeders , costs a small fortune for bird seed then the sparrow hawk comes along and dines out on the fatted calfs . 2 X collared doves + 1 greenfinch done in the last month Blue tits ? must be the cold Quote
alexander72 Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Barn owls are feeding on our land near Northampton.. I noticed at work that most of the raptors have chicks already after the cold snap then the warm bit when it hit 12 degrees about 10 days ago. Pigeons (le pigeon in french ) have been nesting for over 3 weeks. Songbirds starting to call in the last 48 hours too, Bats in my workshop are scratting about as well.... happy days Quote
alexander72 Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Piston... LOL - just saw the end of your post mate :-) Quote
User0083 Posted March 14, 2013 Posted March 14, 2013 Slight concern that bird crap's been left on a car... That can't do it much good! On my S2000 a seagull got the bonnet (seagull... Birmingham?) I went to jet wash on way home, it had damage lacquer within 2 hours of being there and I had to use 2000 grit, tried T-Cut and G3... So 2000, G3, T-Cut and shed loads of polish to get rid of it. Brummie gull's must eat toxic waste or sommin! Quote
Norman Verona Posted March 14, 2013 Author Posted March 14, 2013 It's not a problem, the carbon bonnet has 3M film on it. Thanks for your concern. Quote
User0083 Posted March 14, 2013 Posted March 14, 2013 It's not a problem, the carbon bonnet has 3M film on it. Thanks for your concern. That's ok then. few years ago saw that film and it looked terrible. But i think it's come on loads now and is much better. I saw you tibe of this gel like stuff that's sprayed on. Quote
bhouse Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 My daughter just pointed out that owls aren't rare at all. Apparently we have about 20 in our kitchen drawer. Teat Owls. Oh dear... Quote
Norman Verona Posted March 17, 2013 Author Posted March 17, 2013 I was in the garage on Thursday and could hear the owl walking about in the roof space. Couldn't hear any other noise like squeaking chicks though. One of the reasons I love this place is the amount of wildlife we have. We don't encourage anything but don't do anything to discourage them or kill anything, other than snakes. We have had ducks and moorhens, still have coypu, have a family of deer walking through regularly, mice and rats, voles, moles and the odd snake (although I will kill a snake if I can. HM walks about in flip flops). There are numerous birds about and a lot of hawks including kestrels. Probably lots more I haven't thought of. Of course the silence, apart from bird song, is amazing. To sit in the sun with nothing but the sound of animals about is really relaxing. Quote
SteveH Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 We used to get little owls round us, I thought they were the only ones that aren't nocturnal? Quote
BEN99W Posted March 17, 2013 Posted March 17, 2013 You'll get fewer rats and mice if you don't kill your snakes Norm. Most aren't venomous anyway and the only two you're likely to encounter the adder or maybe a montpellier snake are not aggressive. They're also protected species in france. Please enjoy them as much as you do your other wildlife. They're fascinating creatures. Ben Quote
Norman Verona Posted March 17, 2013 Author Posted March 17, 2013 Wonderful. Our owl used to live in the loft space which is now our bedroom. When we first moved upstairs it was still coming in. One night I awoke and saw it sitting on a roof truss looking at me. I got up and opened a window for it to leave. It flew right past me and out the window. The amazing thing was, even though it flew within inches of my ear I heard nothing and only felt a slight breeze as it went past. The walls are now sealed so it can't get in. If we have been out late it will sometimes guide us in by flying in front of the car as we drive down the approach lane. Quote
Norman Verona Posted March 17, 2013 Author Posted March 17, 2013 Ben, the snakes I've seen so far have all been venomous. I can't remember what they're called (in French) but have been warned not to go too near. The problem is they are in the long grass and will bite if they think they're being attacked. We had one in the pond, it was long, thin and black. Anyway, I haven't killed any yet, just would if I could. Know my wife she will go tramping through the longer grass with her flip-flops on and I'll be rushing her to hospital. The mice and voles are eaten by the owl. Just wish he was hungrier. Quote
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