Hi Sherry & Jen - thanks for the PM much appreciated. Once again good luck with finding some owls

Hi Ladies, if you go to Moore you also have a reasonable chance of seeing Little Owl around the buildings of the Big Hand Ranch on Moore Lane before you go over the ship canal. The Tawny Owl may prove more ellusive. It used to be dead easy in it's roost near Birchwood pool but despite several attempts I have never been able to locate it elsewhere. Keep an eye on the forum for reports of the pair at Marbury country park.

After a reported sighting I searched for much of the early part of last winter for Short-eared Owls at Parkgate/Burton Marsh and it wasn't until the end of February this year did they show up for me, at least 7 of them on the "big" tides during that period - off Heswall golf course. As far as I am aware there were no other Wirral sightings in the year before that, which I believe was unusual for there. Check the Dee estuary web site for reports.

For Long-eared Owls keep an eye on information coming out of Fylde bird club for Marton Mere, Blackpool. Saw a roost of 8 birds there earlier this year.

For Barn Owls, Parkgate has been good - so far this year no luck there or at Denhall Lane where I have seen them regularly in recent years - both will no doubt come good again.

Then there is the possibility of the Eagle Owls in the Forest of Bowland in the sprintime

Good luck with your Owling

PS - Just noticed that there were two Short-eared Owls reported on the marsh off Heswall golf course on Sunday last the 25th.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Tuesday 27th of September 2011 12:59:12 PM

This event is probably worth a visit - there will be people with telescopes etc. who will point things out for you.


Sunday 30th October, 3pm start, RSPB Raptor Watch at the Old Baths Car Park, Parkgate.
The Dee Estuary Nature Reserve is a vital wintering grounds for many birds of prey Discover these impressive birds in their wild habitat, hunting and roosting on the saltmarsh.
Warm clothing and binoculars recommended. Ring 0151 336 7681 for further information.

Thanks for the advice guys, will defo be on my way to Moore nature reserve at my first opportunity and Parkgate on the next high tide. We are both fairly new to birding as this is only our second year and am loving every second.

Moore nature reserve, Warrington has a roosting Tawny Owl (or at leat it was there last time I visited). VERY difficult to spot, it favours the ivy covered trees around the path right off lapwing lane, but its well hidden!

Parkgate on the Dee Estuary at high tide in the winter - guaranteed SE Owls

Hi guys, we're looking for some advice on the best places to watch owls of any kind but in particular Barn, Little and Short Eared. We would be very grateful if anybody could point us in the right direction. Personally I could sit and watch them for hours and would love to see some in their natural environment as I've only been able to see rescued owls so far.