Peak District Birds Of Prey – The Little Owl
If any Peak District Birds of Prey entered a challenge for the most perfect name, then this little creature would definitely win first prize. With its characteristic owl like features, this little character looks exactly like its relations, but there is one ‘big’ difference – it’s in miniature.
If you’ve never met a Little Owl in real life and came across one in a photograph or magazine, you would simply think it was the same size as a regular owl – but it isn’t called the Little Owl for nothing. Here’s a bit of a clue about its true size in relation to this nosy magpie.
With its small stature now brought out into the open, the Little Owl also has another feature we should point out, which makes it distinctly different from its big cousins -it can often be seen in total broad daylight. An owl in daylight, surely not? But it’s true, and they seem to have perverse pleasure in stopping Peak District visitors in their tracks as they enjoy their sightseeing. Stories from around the Peak District tell of these little birds suddenly hopping up onto a wall, from the ground below, seemingly coming out of nowhere. They can usually be seen perched on a tree branch, a telegraph pole or a rock in the middle of a field. There are several numbers in the White Peak, nesting close to the limestone walls and it’s very hard to spot one unless you see it actually land -the Little Owl’s camouflage is utterly amazing.
They can sometimes seem quite tame and can stand perfectly still for a long time while you get little closer but a Little Owl won’t hesitate to bob its head up and down when it’s alarmed – this is the time to back off instantly. When it takes off, in flight, it has long, rounded wings, and very rapid wing beats. It also seems to fly with a slight undulation.
Unfortunately, a breeding bird survey suggests that Little Owl numbers are definitely declining and the UK population is estimated to be down by 24 percent between 1995 and 2008 according to the RSPB. They can be found throughout England and Wales with a few spotted in southern Scotland. These Peak District Birds of Prey like lowland farmland with hedges and copses as shelter, but also they frequent parkland and orchards. They are quite sociable little creatures and can often be seen in numbers of three or four.
The best time of day to see a Little Owl is at dawn, after it has hunted throughout the night, but it is possible to see them all year round during the day. They like to eat small mammals and birds, beetles and worms and at last count, there are between 5800 to 11,600 pairs in Britain.
They are certainly very photogenic little animals and can also be found not only in the Peak District, but in warmer parts of Europe, Asia East, to Korea and also North Africa. It is not a bird native to Great Britain but was actually introduced in 1842 by a chap called Thomas Powys. They have now naturalised here, which is great for us here in Derbyshire. The little owl has also been successfully introduced to the South Island of New Zealand in the early 20th century.
At only 23 to 27 1/2 cm inland, the Little Owl has a white speckled brown upper body with a brown streaked white body below. Its characteristics are having a large head, long legs and big yellow eyes. Sometimes its white eyebrows can seem like it’s frowning at you with a very stern expression, but it’s simply the markings so don’t take it personally. Baby Little owls are much duller and lack their parent’s white crown spots. They are usually quite silent in the day and vocal at night but if you are lucky enough to hear a Little Owl call, it is a querulous kee-ik
The Little Owl was sacred to the goddess Athena, from whom it gets the generic name, Athene noctua. It’s one of the most distributed owls and due to its social behaviour and adaptability to humans, as well as its small demeanour, it probably ranks among the world’s most numerous owl species.
Bigger Peak District Birds of Prey need to be warned though -bullying a Little Owl is NOT a good idea. It has been known to attack birds of considerable size, so watch out Mr Buzzard!