Norfolk and the Barn Owl
Little Owl in flight
I’ve photographed many an Owl. The Little Owl in my local park, Tawny Owls, the Spectacle Owl in Costa Rica and the magnificent Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl in Zambia. Well, they’re all magnificent – special birds. A bit mystical as they are mostly nocturnal, and their sounds can often be haunting in the night. There was one owl though that I really wanted to photograph. I’d seen it on late evening trips but never got in position to take a picture. Que a bit of Googling …
Barn Owl at sunset in a field in Norfolk
Norfolk, England, is a great place to spot the Barn Owl. The flat undulating landscape is a great habitat for the Barn Owl, with many grassy fields perfect as hunting grounds for rodents and the like.
Shot from the car at the side of a field at dusk in Norfolk
I needed help in spotting the owls and local knowledge is key. Who better to turn to than Richard Brooks, a local who has an enormous expertise in birds and wildlife, with a special place in his soul for the Barn Owl. He knows where to find them at dawn or dusk. In addition, he puts out food for them in his garden which attracts these beautiful owls regularly. And they come so close you can sit there and photograph them as the dive in to grab a dead chick or mouse. It is an incredible experience as this big bird of prey swoops in silently just in front of you.
Barn Owl swooping in for food in Richard’s garden - Norfolk
Many thanks to Richard for a couple of days well spent in Norfolk. I got my long-wanted Barn Owl shots as well as photos of the Marsh Harrier and the Little Grebe. I will be back!
A Little Grebe in the morning sun - Norfolk
Barn Owl