Sunlit Barn Owl II – Peak District Wildlife Photography

Sunlit Barn Owl photographed small in the frame against the shapes of an old tree.

Sunlit Barn Owl hunting in some late afternoon winter sunshine. Whilst barn owls are primarily nocturnal for much of the year, during the winter months they are sometimes forced to hunt during daylight hours due to vole activity dropping in the sub-zero night time temperatures.

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.

Sunlit 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.