canberrabirds

Boobooks calling actively

To: Denis Wilson <>
Subject: Boobooks calling actively
From: Stuart Rae <>
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2014 13:40:24 +1100
Hi Denis,

Sedentary owl species such as tawny owl, typically sort out their
territorial boundaries post breeding season, during the dispersal
period of the young birds of the year. Peak calling is actually during
this time, which is generally autumn. They do call again at onset of
nesting but much less. So as various local birds here are now in their
autumn/winter mixed flocks, the magpies are singing and the
wattle-birds are making their autumn/winter calls, I would regard your
owl calling as part of autumn territorial behaviour. I have heard them
calling at this time before, I heard one the other night, and thought
nothing of it as it seemed normal, familiar owl behaviour to me. Many
species sort out their territories then, even if they leave for winter
quarters and come back they still have dominance in spring. And any
that can will remain throughout for as far as territories are
concerned, the holder usually has the advantage over intruders.

We need to get out at night more.

Stuart

On 23 February 2014 09:29, Denis Wilson <> wrote:
> I live on the edge of the village of Robertson, surrounded by mostly cleared
> farmland, with Rainforest remnants around.
> Boobooks are not uncommon. I hear the occasional call, and would not
> normally comment upon it.
>
> However, last night, in light misting rain, at 10:30 PM a Boobook was
> calling actively. That was unusual.
>
> I wondered if this is possible breeding season activity?. It seemed early in
> the season, (to my ears).
>
> Denis Wilson
>
> Are you amongst Greg Hunt's "increasingly hysterical environmental
> activists"?
> If not, why not?
> The Great Barrier Reef decision of 31 January 2014 is a travesty.
>
> "The Nature of Robertson"
> www.peonyden.blogspot.com.au



-- 
Stuart Rae


http://sites.stuartrae.com/
http://stuartrae.blogspot.com/

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