Tawny Cam
Follow the nesting owls
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About Tawny Owls
Tawny owls are the most common and widespread owl in Europe. They are also the owl that emits the characteristic 'twit-twoo' call, although it is actually a duet between the male and the female.
Habitat: Their preferred habitat is woodland, gardens, parks and urban areas.
Food: Small birds, mammals, frogs and insects.
Breeding: Males and females bond for life. The female lays 2-4 eggs in March or early April, usually in a hole in a tree or an old crows nest. The male feeds the brood for about 21 days and then both parents feed the chicks. After 32-37 days, the chicks leave the nest.
Conservation Status: Tawny owls are not considered to be threatened, although they were heavily persecuted by gamekeepers up until the early part of this century. The increasing spread of this species into towns and cities has also stood it in good stead.
Tawny owls are the commonest owl in the UK, with about 20,000 pairs, but there have been some fairly worrying declines in recent years.