Discover the secrets of owls with Kent Wildlife Trust

Tawny owls are our biggest common owl, familiar in Britain’s woodland, parks and gardens. The ‘too-wit too-woo’ call often referred to as being the song of the generic owl, is that of the tawny owl. But it isn’t the call of a single bird – instead, it’s made by a male and female calling to each other. The female makes a ‘too-wit’ sound and the male answers with ‘too-woo’! These incredible creatures sit on their favourite perch on the lookout for small animals like voles and mice to eat. They nest during springtime in hollow trees, or sometimes choose to reuse an old crow’s nest! 

Habitats: Farmland; Woodland; Towns and gardens 

Little owl

Introduced into the UK in the 19th century, the diminutive little owl can now be seen along hedgerows, on farmland, and in parkland across England and Wales. It often perches on a pole or rock, looking out for its unsuspecting prey. 

Although mainly nocturnal, the little owl can be spotted in the day hunting invertebrates (especially worms), small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. It is often seen perched on a telegraph pole, an old parkland tree, along a hedgerow, or on a rock; from these positions, it quietly scans the ground for prey. When it spots something, it swoops down and catches its victim with either its claws or beak. Little owls breed between March and August, forming monogamous pairs and nesting in hollow trees. 

Habitats: Grassland; Heathland and moorland; Farmland; Coastal; Wetlands; Woodland; Towns and gardens 

Short-eared owl

Unsurprisingly, the nocturnal long-eared owl sports large 'ear tufts' on its head, while the short-eared owl has much smaller ear tufts. A shy bird, it is best spotted around the coast when migrating, or in its communal winter roosts. 

Long-eared owls are shy, nocturnal birds of coniferous forests, plantations and mixed woodlands and can be seen in communal roosts of more than 20 birds. Small mammals, such as voles, form the majority of the long-eared owl's diet, but small birds are also important. The long-eared owl hunts out its prey by sweeping clearings and fields in a zig-zag flying pattern, scanning the ground for movement. Once prey is spotted, the owl swoops down and dispatches its victim on the ground by biting the back of the head. Long-eared owls breed from February onwards, laying their eggs in old nests or tree hollows. 

Masters of stealth – owl adaptations  

British owls are true "masters of stealth," excelling in silent flight due to distinctive adaptations. Their specialised feathers feature a smooth, velvety texture that minimises rustling sounds, and the serrations along the edges of their wing feathers effectively reduce turbulence during flight and muffle sound, ensuring a nearly silent approach.  

Owls possess large, forward-facing eyes that are specially adapted for low light conditions, allowing them to see exceptionally well in the dark. Owls have incredibly flexible necks which allows them to turn their heads 180-degrees each way, effectively giving them 360-degree vision, helping them spot and track their prey. This exceptional vision, coupled with their silent flight capabilities, underscores the adaptability and prowess of British owls as efficient nocturnal hunters in the diverse landscapes they inhabit. 

Apex predators - the role of owls in the food chain 

Owls play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance as apex predators in the intricate web of the food chain. Owls, with their keen hunting instincts and powerful talons, serve as natural regulators of rodent numbers, curbing potential ecological imbalances caused by unchecked populations. By preying on rodents, owls contribute to the overall health of ecosystems, preventing overgrazing and the depletion of plant life.  

Different owls have different hunting habits and prey on different animals, meaning each fits a different ecological niche. Barn owls predate mainly on small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews, whereas little owls hunt small mammals as well as beetles and worms. Long-eared owls on the other hand have even been known to supplement their diet with rats, birds, and even smaller owls. 

An owl’s diet can be determined from investigation of their pellets and is what makes out new owl pellet workshop so much fun for visiting groups. 

Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop: a hands-on learning experience 

As apex predators in Kent, owls sit at the top of the food chain and are therefore a great way for investigating food webs. In this new and exciting workshop, children will get the chance to learn about the inter-relationships between predator and prey and learn about the transfer of energy through the food chain.

During the session, children will work in groups to dissect owl pellets and use the bones they find within to identify what species of mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates the owls have been eating. By working out the diet of the owls, and combining with knowledge of the habitats the pellets were found in, children will be able to make a good estimate as to the species of owls the pellets originated from. Children love the chance to get hands-on with science and are fascinated by what they can discover from the owl pellets. 

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