Eagle owl release

[DOVEScot]

did the falconer say why there is a release system for eagle owls

 

He told us where, but do not want to post, did not go into detail why, he reckons there are quite a few in the wild already

[rembrant2coo]

 

any f---ing thing with wings would be good

 

by the way carol that was a nice cuppa tea the other night enjoyed the chat as well

[EAGLEOWL]

 

He told us where, but do not want to post, did not go into detail why, he reckons there are quite a few in the wild already

 

 

yes theres some knocking about in galloway invernesss sutherland ,

 

just wondered why the release programme for european eagle owls .

 

[chickadee]

 

by the way carol that was a nice cuppa tea the other night enjoyed the chat as well

 

You are very welcome anytime, Just pop in when you're passing and the kettle will be on if we're in. ;D

[EAGLEOWL]

 

He told us where, but do not want to post, did not go into detail why, he reckons there are quite a few in the wild already

 

well if it was a legal breed and release system ,im sure people would know .so i would take it is a illegal breed and release by some idiot .

 

[brianm]

sounds like it . when will we learn that releasing creatures  into a ecosystem that cant handle the numbers only creates more problems

[DOVEScot]

Eagle Owl.

 

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EXOTIC owls so large they can catch and kill a dog or small deer are being deliberately released into the wild by people who believe they should be introduced into Scotland.

 

Eagle owls, which grow to almost three feet tall, have been spotted across the country in areas including Edinburgh, Fife, the Borders, Stirling, Argyll, Morayshire and the Black Isle.

 

Some enthusiasts - those responsible for releasing them - believe the birds used to live in Scotland until they were wiped out by gamekeepers in the 19th Century. Experts say there is no evidence of this. Now ornithologists are concerned the "super-predators" will wipe out many native birds if they continue to be released in Scotland.

 

David Kelly, the Lothian recorder for the Scottish Ornithology Club, said people were able to release eagle owls because they are easy to breed in captivity and cheap to buy at around £80 each.

 

"There are people that feel quite strongly that the eagle owl was wiped out from Scotland at the same time the osprey and goshawk were exterminated," he said. "They may have lived here before the ice age more than 15,000 years ago, but the environment was different then.

 

"I am concerned they think it is a good idea to deliberately release them and am saddened when I see them or receive reports of sightings of them, for example in Balerno in Edinburgh just a few weeks ago.

 

"These people are misguided and don’t seem to realise that if they spread and increase then they will be very dangerous to our native birds. They even eat other owls.

 

"You should never take captive birds and release them into the wild as not only is it illegal, but it upsets the native population of birds and animals."

 

He added that anyone sighting one of the large owls should report it to the authorities.

 

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has warned that anyone caught setting the owls free faces a fine of up to £20,000.

 

Mike Flynn, SSPCA superintendent, said: "I heard an escaped eagle owl some years ago plucked a Yorkshire terrier from a street in Perth, so they can quite easily eat dogs.

 

"It is a clear offence to intentionally introduce any non-indigenous species into the wild under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

 

"The International Union for Conservation and Nature decides whether to give a permit to release birds into the wild. They gave permission for ospreys to be re-introduced because they did use to live here before the gamekeepers wiped them out but I can’t see them giving out a permit to do this with eagle owls, considering the damage they do."

 

Several varieties of eagle owl have been seen in Scotland including the Central Asian and Eurasian eagle owl - the largest of the owl species. Females can weigh as much as ten pounds and have a 5ft wing span.

 

Eurasian eagle owls are native to countries such as Russia. The Central Asian eagle owl is native to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and India.

 

Eagle owls hunt mostly at night. They can catch prey up to the size of foxes and young deer whilst hunting in the wild, but they also feed on rabbits, smaller mammals and birds in captivity. Experts say adult birds can be aggressive.

 

Keith Morton, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ species protection officer, said: "These birds are cheap to buy and easy to get hold of and there are quite a few now living wild in Scotland.

 

"They can easily grab a cat without too much trouble and are known to predate on peregrines at night on the nest.

 

"They don’t belong here and there is no evidence of them living here in the post-glacial period. However, there is still this debate going, that they did live here, among some people. I would urge anyone who knows of anyone releasing eagle owls to contact me."

 

Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB head of policy, said: "They are very adaptable when released into the wild because they have quite a cosmopolitan diet, feeding on small deer or dogs and their favourite prey being hedgehogs.

 

"They shouldn’t be released here."

 

One has been sighted at Balerno, West Lothian not far from where I live. Guess where I'm going at the week-end suitably tooled up with binns, tripod, scope and camera!! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I get, at least, a brief glimpse of this magnificent bird.

 

EILEEN.

 

[Guest]

Not eagle owls, but still topical - red kites programme, and what happened to one pigeon after it was hawked..

 

(1) Watched a bit of Landward and saw a red kite conservation programme in Wales. They have upped a 3-pair population to 200 birds. They feed them raw meat, 80 kg a day, at the same time every day, and they get the whole population [200] coming into the field to feed on the red meat. They also build their blinking nests for them.

 

Proves beyond doubt artificial nature of species spread: and backs up what I and others have said about hawk behaviour - any hawk will return 24hrs later to the site of a kill or near miss.

 

(2) Young hen missing all day. Got a phone call tonight, she was handed in to clubmate in Glen Village. A member of public had wondered what commotion was under some trees, a gang of crows stabbing away at something. 'Something' turned out to be a pigeon.

 

She's minus her tail, crop area is bare but skin isn't broken, and her end group of primaries are missing on one wing.

[DOVEScot]

http://www.wayodd.com/bird/6/c/234/

Giant Owl Terrorizing Community In England

January 11, 2007

Topics bird, train, people, wings, eagle, hunting, deer, chase, birds, sun, christmas, drunk, running, cat, big, england, newspaper, face, food, dogs, couple, dog, car, man and police

A giant eagle owl is reported to be terrorizing residents in Middlesborough, England. With its 5-ft wingspan, the bird can easily pick up foxes, small dogs and deer. Reports said the owl set up its home on the roof of the town's train station near the town center, in September. However, the bird suddenly become unruly since December launching itself off high roofs and swooping on passersby.

read article   |   comments (0)

 

[frank-123]

sounds like it . when will we learn that releasing creatures  into a ecosystem that cant handle the numbers only creates more problems

 

that sounds like what the rspb have beeen doing

[THE FIFER]

 

And that's just a hop skip and a jump fae here.

 

 

 

what can't they fly ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

 

[EAGLEOWL]

Not eagle owls, but still topical - red kites programme, and what happened to one pigeon after it was hawked..

 

(1) Watched a bit of Landward and saw a red kite conservation programme in Wales. They have upped a 3-pair population to 200 birds. They feed them raw meat, 80 kg a day, at the same time every day, and they get the whole population [200] coming into the field to feed on the red meat. They also build their blinking nests for them.

 

Proves beyond doubt artificial nature of species spread: and backs up what I and others have said about hawk behaviour - any hawk will return 24hrs later to the site of a kill or near miss.

 

(2) Young hen missing all day. Got a phone call tonight, she was handed in to clubmate in Glen Village. A member of public had wondered what commotion was under some trees, a gang of crows stabbing away at something. 'Something' turned out to be a pigeon.

 

She's minus her tail, crop area is bare but skin isn't broken, and her end group of primaries are missing on one wing.

 

 

all these breed and release systems in my opinion DO NOT WORK  there no natural food or not enough to go around ,red kites are scavangers roaming around looking for road kill but theres not enough for sustaining numbers .

 

there is a programme of breed and release of red kites not ten miles from my home they also breed and release sparrow hawks ,but what they dont tell you is sure there breeding but there also sustaining them through returning each day for food other wise the red kite could not survive without been fed by man

 

 

[DOVEScot]

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/254-eagle-owl-sighting-2.html

20-11-2005, 10:32 PM  

John  

Commander of the Wild Empire

   Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: Coventry

Posts: 4,909  

 

Re: eagle owl sighting

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartDH

Not too far up into Scotland as well. Is this about as far south as people are seeing them this year?

 

There is a breeding pair in Yorkshire Stuart, as seen on a BBC2 programme last Wednesday plus today. They have raised 23 chicks since 1997. One of their chicks was found dead by a Pylon in Shropshire, some 200 miles away. All the chicks have been ringed but as yet none of the others have been found. They reckon that there is at least 40 Eagle Owls around.

__________________

Visit my web site. http://www.coventrybirder.co.uk/

 

 

[REDCHEQHEN]

http://www.wayodd.com/bird/6/c/234/

Giant Owl Terrorizing Community In England

January 11, 2007

Topics bird, train, people, wings, eagle, hunting, deer, chase, birds, sun, christmas, drunk, running, cat, big, england, newspaper, face, food, dogs, couple, dog, car, man and police

A giant eagle owl is reported to be terrorizing residents in Middlesborough, England. With its 5-ft wingspan, the bird can easily pick up foxes, small dogs and deer. Reports said the owl set up its home on the roof of the town's train station near the town center, in September. However, the bird suddenly become unruly since December launching itself off high roofs and swooping on passersby.

read article   |   comments (0)

 

That was an escaped one - and has been captured - it used to sit on the window sill of the DHSS !! I think it was after a crisis loan  ;D

 

[DOVEScot]

http://www.owls.org/News/eagle_owl.htm

 

Eagle Owls In Britain - Where Does The Trust Stand?

 

 

No doubt many of you will have seen the marvellous film (Natural World, BBC 2, November 16 & 20), which gave the news of the return of the European Eagle Owl as a breeder in the UK. The more observant amongst you will also have registered the fact that the Trust was involved in the making of this film, so no doubt you will be wondering what our stance is over this controversial event. I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that opinions are much divided over whether the birds currently breeding and being seen in ever-increasing numbers in Britain, are the ‘genuine article’ or simply birds which have been deliberately released or ‘lost’/escaped from captivity.

I summarize the WOT’s position as follows:

 

There is fossil evidence, first-hand observations of birds in the wild, plus anecdotal and a few confirmed reports (eg. Galloway, Invernesshire, and Sutherland) of Eagle Owls breeding in Britain before the Yorkshire pair, plus many instances of undoubted ‘escaped’ or deliberately released birds in England. The old literature gives many examples of birds being ‘taken’ (ie. ‘shot’) in a wide range of counties, as well as many ‘seen’.

The WOT has never released European Eagle Owls into the wild in the UK.

While we formerly considered any Eagle Owls seen or breeding in England as ‘suspect’, we have always believed that genuine wild birds were present and breeding in very small numbers in parts of Scotland. Our work in Finland demonstrated the difficulty of locating this species in the wild, due to the large size of their territories and their ability to stay hidden (as was clearly shown in the film). In the light of the evidence presented in the film, we now consider that any Eagle Owl reports must in future be treated with an open mind unless there is clear and indisputable evidence (e.g. unnatural tameness, presence of jesses or rings, etc.) that these may be ex-captive individuals.

Rather than it being incumbent on ‘believers’ to prove that observed Eagle Owls are genuine wild individuals, as in the past, we now believe it is for the ‘unbelievers’ to prove they aren’t!

While we accept that the Eagle Owl is a formidable predator well capable of taking a wide range of prey – including other owls and diurnal birds of prey - it also takes a great many corvids, rats and in particular, rabbits which Man usually regards as vermin. We regard predation by any predator as ‘natural’, even when the victim is something we ‘like’.

We regard the confirmation of the Eagle Owl as a resident breeder in Britain as an exciting event on a par with the reintroduction of the White-tailed Sea Eagle and reinforcement of the Red Kite population, and would draw attention to the fact that no-one complains about the Little Owl - which was a full introduction to Britain. We suggest that the opposition to the Eagle Owl is perhaps down to its size and expertise as a predator rather than being based on scientific fact or logic.

We believe the British Ornithologists Union should now add it to the official list of British birds and that the species should receive the same protection as any other bird of prey or owl, perhaps even being placed on Schedule 1.

The above remarks do not apply to any other species or subspecies of Eagle Owl (such as the commonly kept Indian (Bengal) Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis) or Turkmenian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo turcomanus) which should be recaptured if seen in a ‘wild’ state in the UK.

 

[EAGLEOWL]

 

That was an escaped one - and has been captured - it used to sit on the window sill of the DHSS !! I think it was after a crisis loan  ;D

 

yes it was a captive bred bird north allerton also had one. if i remmeber right it was terrorising everyone not sure if thats the one they caught using a lurcher tied to a post  .people try fly these birds in displays thats why they lose them ,and if it isnt hungary it aint coming back .

[DOVEScot]

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/species/eagleowls.asp

 

Eagle owls in the UK

Recent media coverage has reported on the presence of a small number of breeding eagle owls in the UK. The origin of these individuals is unknown, though there is no evidence that birds other than from released stock have bred in Britain in recent times.

 

As a probable introduced species, we believe the government should assess the likely impacts of an increasing population of eagle owls, including on the conservation status of native wildlife.

 

Eagle owls may colonise Britain in the future as the population recovers on the European mainland. If eagle owls arrive here naturally, the RSPB would welcome it, as we do the expansion of other colonising birds, such as little egret and Cetti’s warbler.

 

[EAGLEOWL]

http://www.owls.org/News/eagle_owl.htm

 

Eagle Owls In Britain - Where Does The Trust Stand?

 

 

No doubt many of you will have seen the marvellous film (Natural World, BBC 2, November 16 & 20), which gave the news of the return of the European Eagle Owl as a breeder in the UK. The more observant amongst you will also have registered the fact that the Trust was involved in the making of this film, so no doubt you will be wondering what our stance is over this controversial event. I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that opinions are much divided over whether the birds currently breeding and being seen in ever-increasing numbers in Britain, are the ‘genuine article’ or simply birds which have been deliberately released or ‘lost’/escaped from captivity.

I summarize the WOT’s position as follows:

 

There is fossil evidence, first-hand observations of birds in the wild, plus anecdotal and a few confirmed reports (eg. Galloway, Invernesshire, and Sutherland) of Eagle Owls breeding in Britain before the Yorkshire pair, plus many instances of undoubted ‘escaped’ or deliberately released birds in England. The old literature gives many examples of birds being ‘taken’ (ie. ‘shot’) in a wide range of counties, as well as many ‘seen’.

The WOT has never released European Eagle Owls into the wild in the UK.

While we formerly considered any Eagle Owls seen or breeding in England as ‘suspect’, we have always believed that genuine wild birds were present and breeding in very small numbers in parts of Scotland. Our work in Finland demonstrated the difficulty of locating this species in the wild, due to the large size of their territories and their ability to stay hidden (as was clearly shown in the film). In the light of the evidence presented in the film, we now consider that any Eagle Owl reports must in future be treated with an open mind unless there is clear and indisputable evidence (e.g. unnatural tameness, presence of jesses or rings, etc.) that these may be ex-captive individuals.

Rather than it being incumbent on ‘believers’ to prove that observed Eagle Owls are genuine wild individuals, as in the past, we now believe it is for the ‘unbelievers’ to prove they aren’t!

While we accept that the Eagle Owl is a formidable predator well capable of taking a wide range of prey – including other owls and diurnal birds of prey - it also takes a great many corvids, rats and in particular, rabbits which Man usually regards as vermin. We regard predation by any predator as ‘natural’, even when the victim is something we ‘like’.

We regard the confirmation of the Eagle Owl as a resident breeder in Britain as an exciting event on a par with the reintroduction of the White-tailed Sea Eagle and reinforcement of the Red Kite population, and would draw attention to the fact that no-one complains about the Little Owl - which was a full introduction to Britain. We suggest that the opposition to the Eagle Owl is perhaps down to its size and expertise as a predator rather than being based on scientific fact or logic.

We believe the British Ornithologists Union should now add it to the official list of British birds and that the species should receive the same protection as any other bird of prey or owl, perhaps even being placed on Schedule 1.

The above remarks do not apply to any other species or subspecies of Eagle Owl (such as the commonly kept Indian (Bengal) Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis) or Turkmenian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo turcomanus) which should be recaptured if seen in a ‘wild’ state in the UK.

 

 

duncan i have studied these owls  on MOD LAND  and it was a dead certainty once shown to the public harm would come to them ,i still cannot understand why this pair where brought to the publics attention ,for some *expletive removed* to go and shoot the female FACT,

 

yes i myself would like to see them protected as british wild birds ,but sadlt i dont think this would ever come about ,due to people who seem to think they know what there doing by releasing these birds into the wild have no idea about the bird its habbits etc ,i have personally rescued over two hundred of these poor birds only to be destroyed brought about by harry potter and responsible parents thinking there kids can have and train these beautiful birds .

 

[EAGLEOWL]

i would also like to see breeding of these birds made illegal ,or only done under liscence ,as like pigeons if theres a pound to be made someone somewhere will sell you one .

 

i have had a few requests from people on here for eagle owls ,would it be responsible of me to give or sell one of these to them .when they have no idea whats involved to look after one of these or was it just to release i wonder .

[EAGLEOWL]

 

That was an escaped one - and has been captured - it used to sit on the window sill of the DHSS !! I think it was after a crisis loan  ;D

 

yes it was a captive bred bird north allerton also had one. if i remmeber right it was terrorising everyone not sure if thats the one they caught using a lurcher tied to a post  .people try fly these birds in displays thats why they lose them ,and if it isnt hungary it aint coming back .

[brianm]

when  the first harry potter film came out i had a guy on the phone ( no idea how he got my number ) offering me 1000 quid for my pair of snowy owls,,  i reply started with f and ended in off, but if i was someone who needed the money it would have been some offer

[chickadee]

 

 

 

what can't they fly ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

 

pmsl. ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Guest]

Eagle Owl: 3 points -  (1) the programme on Yorkshire pair, they were on MOD land, but hat didn't stop folk having a go at their nest in the years before the programme was shown. (2) Didn't help when Ornithology spokesperson said you could go and shoot them they weren't protected by law and you couldn't be prosecuted (3) the programme carried a voice-over at the end saying the  Ornithology clown was wrong and the birds were protected by law.

 

The birds were always protected under the Wildlife Act 1981 - European species are protected throughout Europe, irrespective what country in Europe they are in. Seems somebody realised birds have wings and can fly, even between countries, and maybe stopover for a while.  

[EAGLEOWL]

when  the first harry potter film came out i had a guy on the phone ( no idea how he got my number ) offering me 1000 quid for my pair of snowy owls,,  i reply started with f and ended in off, but if i was someone who needed the money it would have been some offer

 

brian ive seen people sold these owls who had no idea ,what they where buying ,

i rescued two that where kept in a rabbit hutch for five years ,in total darkness responsible people .

 

i always get asked to sell me female snowy for big money NO CHANCE  ,i would have liked to have seen a female turn up on the shetlands last year two lonely males ,hopefully this year might bring a female .

 

[EAGLEOWL]

Eagle Owl: 3 points -  (1) the programme on Yorkshire pair, they were on MOD land, but hat didn't stop folk having a go at their nest in the years before the programme was shown. (2) Didn't help when Ornithology spokesperson said you could go and shoot them they weren't protected by law and you couldn't be prosecuted (3) the programme carried a voice-over at the end saying the  Ornithology clown was wrong and the birds were protected by law.

 

The birds were always protected under the Wildlife Act 1981 - European species are protected throughout Europe, irrespective what country in Europe they are in. Seems somebody realised birds have wings and can fly, even between countries, and maybe stopover for a while.  

 

 

yes they where several attemps to destroy these birds on MOD land ,thats why the MOD protected them has they do other birds on there land .yes he was a clown giving a open invitation for some *expletive removed* to shoot them