Winter Barn Owl II – Peak District Wildlife Photography

Winter Barn owl photographed mid flight, as it quartered a long grassy field. Relying mainly on hearing, barn owls hunt by flying slowly and silently back and forth across rough grassland until they hear their prey moving around below. Before diving they often hover, waiting for the perfect moment before pouncing on their prey with incredible accuracy.

Winter Barn Owl, More About Barn Owls:

Barn Owls are the most widely distributed species of owl in the UK, and indeed the world. Despite their popularity with humans this stunning bird suffered huge declines throughout the 20th century largely due to the rise of heavy use of pesticides for farming. Barn Owls are specially adapted to hunt on the wing and are even able to hunt night, using their incredibly sensitive hearing and large eyes, enabling them to sense subtle movements in near darkness.

More information on Barn owls.