I wrote a blog back in the summer (22 July) where I disclosed that a pair of eagle owls was nesting on one of our nature reserves.
Now FERA is consulting on a risk assessment of the impacts of eagle owls on native wildlife. That seems quite a sensible thing for them to do.
The RSPB's position could be described as welcoming of wild eagle owls if they arrive back in the UK from Europe after an absence of 9000 years but a bit worried about large numbers of captive eagle owls escaping into the wild from captivity. Our position is on our website and was last updated back in the summer.
Despite this, there are some rumours circulating about eagle owls and the RSPB.
First, that eagle owls are known to have killed hen harriers on RSPB nature reserves – not true, though they are known to be capable of bumping off smaller birds of prey including buzzards and harriers so I wouldn't rule out the possibility.
Second, that there is proof that eagle owls have arrived from continental Europe under their own ‘steam’ – not true as far as I know.
Third, that FERA has applied for a licence to cull eagle owls in the UK – not true as far as I know.
Fourth, that the RSPB has come out in favour of culling - not true at all.
What I can tell you is that we have received the results of analysis of eagle owl pellets collected on our nature reserve in the second part of last summer. There were only 12 of these but nine of them contain rabbit remains. There are also pheasant feathers in at least one (maybe three) of the pellets and red grouse feathers in one of them. So, on that basis, these eagle owls seem to eat rabbits and a few gamebirds during the summer.
Spanish conservationists, and others that know the bird well, tell me there is little to worry about in terms of the impacts of eagle owls on our native wildlife. However, we've not had eagle owls in the UK since the last Ice Age and so there is always that nagging doubt as to what they might decide to eat – just as there is with white-tailed eagles! So we will be continuing to collect eagle owl pellets for analysis - I wonder what they eat at other times of year? This is a bird about which there is more to learn.
Given the unknowns, it seems to us right that FERA, on behalf of UK administrations, is assessing whether eagle owls might pose any risks to UK wildlife. Do, please, respond to the FERA consultation which is open until 6 February, but don’t believe the misinformation circulating on the subject. And do let me now what you think too.
Mark, I think that the RSPB position paper makes it very clear where the RSPB stands on this issue and I agree with it. I do find it interesting to compare the various opinions on the Eagle Owl and the Sea Eagle. I have just returned from Norfolk and found it a bit odd to see large 'No Eagle' posters at the entrance to Titchwell but I suspect there is little that can be done about that. Bob
I wonder what the process was when Little Owl was introduced to Britain. Now, every birdwatcher loves to see a Little Owl. Even I quite liked this cute species... until I discovered them eating Little Tern adults and chicks! Local farmers tell me they also eat Skylarks! Every species added to a community will have some impact on that community - some we may not notice, some we might welcome and some we will be upset by, but we cannot be 100% certain of the impact beforehand. This might be "a first rule of wildlife management".
Hi Mark,what a problem think I probably think same as you that worry in case there is a bad impact but what a lovely bird.Problem is all the RSPBs really as they are here and if RSPB think they are likely to be damaging then I have bad news the RSPB introduced Sea Eagle will do 10 times the damage so suggest they think before saying too much.Seems several have been on MOD land presumably without too many problems.From the pellets seem to eat mostly rabbits and my guess about the Pheasant and Grouse is that something else killed them and Eagle Owl chased the killer off but of course only guessing.For sure while the RSPB wants Sea Eagles in East Anglia they must tread very carefully as the Eagle Owl is here and sounds as if increasing numbers will escape and on the evidence of those pellets I for one and almost certainly lots of others will kick up a fuss if anyone suggests culling.Following RSPB stance of no evidence that Sea Eagles do much harm there is no EVIDENCE that the Eagle Owl has not come naturally however hard they try and say they do not cross the sea.
Bob hi! Hope you saw some good birds in Norfolk.
Barry - good points. There were several people trying to introduce (cute!) little owls to the Uk but the one who succeeded was the 4th Baron Lilford at Lilford Hall a little down the Nene Valley from where I live in east Northants. If he were trying now I feel fairly sure that the RSPB would be against it - no evidence for previous occurrence. And yet little owls haven't done any harm (as far as we know) in the big scheme of things in the last century or more. But we oppose introductions and move carefully with reintroductions. I like your suggested first rule of wiuldlife management.
Sooty - let them eat rabbits! I'm sure you will be pleased to hear that I am off to talk to another group of farmers tomorrow evening!
Hi Mark always feel good when you are talking to farmers,think you will have a nice evening and do lots of good at the same time.Busy farmers with other things on their minds do not always appreciate how they can help wildlife a lot and know from experience meeting someone like yourself who would not be too critical but explain how they can help and get pleasure from it will get results,unfortunately it is slow progress but also surprising if it works then neighbours copy real quick.Funny in the Telegraph some letters from your reply now seem to criticise farmers about hedges and farmers who encourage birds defend.What is the betting lots of gardeners criticising farmers trimming hedges once a year when they probably trim their hedges several times a year.
Will say before I am in trouble you gardeners only trimming once a year,well done.
When we had little Owls on farm Crows seemed to find the young easy pickings.
Think the Parakeets might be more of problem than Eagle Owls.That makes me wonder if Sparrow Hawks will find parakeets easy food.Hope you don't think it a big ego but beginning to think putting farmers viewpoint perhaps beneficial as not many into commenting and if they do mostly defending some pacific action which is not always helpful to what goes on in their mind whereas at least I probably understand better than most but of course is always only personal opinion.
I think we need to look at this from a different angle, and recognise how desperately impoverished our raptor fauna is. One effect of this is that people don't realise that raptors do predate each other - in fact, if you are an Owl in Scandinavia what other Owls are around is the key thing that determines your range, and it is very tough being a Pygmy Owl !
Here, Goshawk have quietly re-shaped the raptor fauna of some of our big upland forests - Kestrel and Short Eared Owl have suffered especially because they hover or float across clearfells, a pefect target for Goshawk. There's a theory there are more Song Thrush in the Forest of Dean because Goshawk have reduced Sparrowhawk. We need to remember that we aren't completely in control and don't, despite the progress in bird science, know everything.
Species returning from our past fauna will have an effect, but it may not always be predictable and it will almost certainly be less damaging to both human interests and biodiversity - and if you want to test that go back and look at some of the scare stories when Kite reintroduction was first proposed !
Must help that half ton of food a week put out in mid Wales for Kites and + other sites to get income to see them and probably eat mostly carrion.
Sooty I still find that a difficult one. I certainly appreciate the farmer getting his income from kite viewing ( and why shouldn't he) but it is about time we let the kites in wales and a few other places get on with it and hopefully expand outwards. Bob
Yes Bob sorry didn't put it very well for once tried to put a short comment as I feel I often go on too long,agree with you entirely and feel us in the south would see many more Red Kites if they were not fed as much but must admit perhaps part of the reason they have done so well may be the feeding.
Really my point was meant to be that they are not very likely to be a problem while getting so much food,though mostly eating carrion doubt if they would be a problem anyway.
Maybe those who seem to object so much to white-tailed eagles coming back to the UK would welcome eagle owls with open arms? After all, they are known to have taken sea eagle chicks from the nest in Scandinavia.
Now that's a tricky one because, well, I like sea eagles - but I also like eagle owls. But which is better? There's only one way to find out...
In all honesty without any evidence I'm not overly concerned about eagle owls being detrimental to our native wildlife. They are found elsewhere in Europe and while I probably wouldn't support a deliberate reintroduction as they became extinct in the UK so long ago, I don't think any action should be taken now that they are here regardsless of how they ended up in the wild.
What DOES bother me is the possibility that these are escaped or deliberately released pets, which is against the animal welfare act and is irreponsible ownership. I'm also concerned that should these owls be found to be former pets, it will justify just letting them go to other owners who get bored of their pet because "they'll probably be alright" and "it won't do any harm". I would like to see the point that it is NOT acceptable to release any pet animal into the wild when this sort of topic comes up, because I have yet to see it even be mentioned in an article about these owls anywhere even though most articles do mention they could be escaped pets, and I personally feel that some certain people may therefore feel that it is acceptable to just release their pet into the wild when chances are, it won't survive for long.
Hi Kat very good point,always like your comments whether I agree or not,you often come up with a view that only you seem to think important.Hate the thought of them taking Sea Eagle chicks but can imagine you correctly saying that is nature.
Hi Sooty,
Thanks lol
You're right, I do agree eagle owls taking sea eagle chicks is just nature, in fact the sea eagles I would be least worried about as they do live alongside eagle owls on the continent so I have no real concerns over any interaction between those two species. It's one of those things, no predator is completely immune there is always something else that will be prepared to take them on.