There’s nothing more wholesome than a walk in nature – especially when you come across hard-to-spot wildlife. This winter, a bird expert is encouraging ramblers to get out and enjoy the fresh air while keeping an eye out for owls hidden in the trees.
On TikTok, user Birding with Risk has shared his top tips on how to spot an owl in the daytime – saying all you have to do is simply keep an eye out and follow the right clues. He said: “Seeing an owl is a magical experience. Finding them is difficult because they are mostly silent and can sit still all day long.
“My favorite trick to finding owls is using the other birds as tattletales. When crows or jays find an owl during the day, they’ll usually cause quite a commotion and squawk until the owl flies away.
“Pay attention to the crows, they’ll lead you right to the owl. The Barred Owl can be quite scary if you stumble across one in the woods. They are huge and have such dark soul-searching eyes.
“The only other Owl with dark eyes in North America is the Barn Owl or Spotted Owl (super rare). Have you ever found an owl? What trick did you use?”
Commenting on his post, one user said: “Guess I know what I’m doing for the rest of my holidays.” Another user added: “You can also tell it’s a Barred Owl because of the way it is.”
A third user said: “We have those owls at our cottage. I love the sound of them at night.”
One more user added: “I’ve heard that call outside my window! Thank you, now we know what it is. I thought mourning dove.”
Help the birds this winter
The RSPB is encouraging people to put out food and water out for wildlife on a regular basis though autumn and winter. A statement reads: “In severe weather, you may find you need to feed twice daily. Birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather.
“Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to build up. Once you have a feeding routine, try not to change it as birds will become used to it.”
They’ve also stressed the importance of keeping your bird feeder hygienic, adding: “Brush off debris every time you put out fresh food and scrub feeders with mild disinfectant solution weekly. Move the feeders from time to time to stop droppings building up underneath.
“Water containers should be rinsed out daily, especially during the warmer months, and allowed to dry out before fresh water is added. “If you see a sick bird on your feeders, stop feeding altogether, thoroughly clean your feeders and store away from the garden (e.g. in the garage or shed). Only resume feeding after two-to-four weeks, but stop and repeat the process if you see any more sick birds.
“Some bird diseases can infect people. The risk is small, but precautions are worth taking. Wear gloves and thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning bird baths and feeders. Clean feeders outside with separate utensils. “
