All through December, we have seen the barn owl out hunting over the Cowbar grassland in daylight. Although barn owls’ eyes are specially adapted to function in low light conditions and they don’t see as well in bright sunlight, during cold months or when they have chicks to feed, they will hunt in daylight for extra food.
You can read more about the barn owl’s behaviour here: Barn Owls in the Daytime
There are many different traditional names for the barn owl such as ‘ghost owl’ , ‘church owl’, ‘screech owl’ and even ‘demon owl’. They are uncannily beautiful and silent in flight but can make piercing shrieks and hissing calls.
The undisturbed grassland on Cowbar cliff top means that there are plenty of voles, mice, shrews and rats for them to feed on.
We are so lucky to be able to see this stunning bird ‘quartering’ the grassland or perching on a fence post, scanning the land for prey.
You can help to support Tees Valley Wildlife Trust with Owl Conservation by sponsoring a local nest box, made and monitored by Colin Gibson and hos team. You’ll receive regular updates and photos of your allocated nest box and others in the area. Find out more here:
Barn Owl Nest Box Network Tees Valley Wildlife
The video below was taken by a neighbour, Charles, this December, 2024.