Quantock Long-eared Owl Survey Latest (Short update)

Team Quantock, including Boyd Hay (FC) extreme left, Andy Harris Centre (AONB/FC) and Ian Porter (AONB) Right from Vehicle, and Amanda Jollife (HOT Trustee) between Ian and Andy

Well lets cut words and get to the point. We got One!

Evening of 20th of Feb was as predicted not just sub zero but also along the top of Quantock still had lying Snow from the big fall a couple days before. We covered most of the forest area of Quantock the main team breaking up into smaller groups. Play back (recall) was done on the half hour after teams synchronised watches or mobiles. My team covered the central to edge areas with some clear fell. We had achieved our objective on the first stop at 2030hrs, we played back for 5 mins, then listened and at 22.38 a male Long-eared Owl was heard calling and continued on for longer than 5 minutes. After last year not hearing Leo at all on Quantock, this is a great start. There are three survey nights left for Quantock all taking place at weekends. Tonight (Sat 20th is the second of the Mendip Long-eared owl surveys, and we are out and about in the central areas.

Cool dude in the Quantock forest, or self indulgence

Next week from Monday to Thursday I'm away carrying out bird surveys and Long-eared Owl surveys in forests on Dartmoor in Devon this as part of the Forestry Commission backed project. I will update the blog upon my return.

BFN And please no Snow on Dartmoor next week.

Forest Long eared Owl project begins

It's been a hectic past few weeks. The Long-eared Owl Hawk and Owl Trust surveys on both Mendip and Quantock Hills are now up and running with the first of 5 nights in each area achieved so far. These two survey areas are carried out at weekends, whilst during the week I'm carrying out surveys for the Forestry Commission across the south west of England; these include day time bird surveys followed by night time searches Long-eared Owl. So far, I have done 2 forests on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, and 5 forests on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. So to recap then, no Long-eared's so far on Quantock, one possible record on Mendip, even Tawnies are very quiet. When Tawny Owls are so quiet at this time of year, it could mean that they are heading for a good breeding season (I have found this in the past), so fingers crossed for them. The South West Long-eared Owl Forest projects, is a great opportunity to meet up with more of FC's brilliant forestry workers. Of course on the Quantock Hills we are already good friends with Boyd Hay and Andy Harris, neither of whom need any introduction on this blog, and on Mendip we get great assistance from Dick Gossling and Lorne Campbell. However now on the Blackdowns and Bodmin we meet new foresters. The Blackdown forest survey both day and night were very weather biased, mainly because of high winds and constant rain. With so much talk about Goldcrest suffering because of the winter weather, it was a great surprise to find so many, not only active on the Blackdowns but also in fall song.

This past week saw us out on Bodmin Moor, and being shown around by another great forester Chris Mason. Chris was like the rest of the Forestry people we have met so far, not only easy to get on with, but very enthusiastic about the forests and the wildlife that live in them. After an initial look around we settled down to the surveys. The weather once again played its roll but instead of being wet and windy, now it was cold, with bone chilling winds coming from the east. I must say it was my coldest ever visit to Cornwall; with Snow flurries during the first day and night surveys. The first night survey on Bodmin was rewarded, with the unmistakable sound of a male Long-eared Owl, this was just a short burst of call and this after we had used some playback calling on a portable CD player. During these Bodmin nights not only did we have the support of Chris Mason, but also an excellent crew of volunteers from the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation society. My special thanks to Chairman Derek Julian and his fellow members of the society such as Andy Mason, Colin Selway, Dave Conway and Dave Miller all of whom gave up their own time to come out with us on the freezing night time surveys.

The Bodmin team, including Chris Mason and myself

We recorded many Tawny Owls as we would have expected, but the Tawny's were more subdued as with other aforementioned areas, they clearly have things other things on their minds. We did record 3 calling male Long-eared Owls and 1 female from the 5 forests looked at over the 4 nights. On Thursday at 12.15 in the afternoon, Emma and I actually recorded a short burst of male Long-eared Owl call. This daytime calling is a first for me and was very exciting. That evening we returned to the Forest were Derek and Andy recorded the same male calling again. All of us were walking back together across a clear fell area still within the forest at around 2100hrs, when Andy mentioned he heard something coming from the open area. I told him to put his torch on the spot where the sound was coming from, what he actually lit up with his torch was a Long-eared Owl perched in a small fir tree firmly fixed on looking down into the wonderful rough grassland that was typical of the open areas surrounding and within these forests.

Goldcrest picture taken on Bodmin, GC was in very good numbers

Peregrine Falcon on a kill, lucky picture as we walked round doing the day bird survey

In the Forest at night, spot the Woodcock



Starlings coming in to roost in one of the forests on Bodmin

Goldcrest, Siskins, Song Thrush, Blackbird and many other species of bird were recorded during the daytime surveys, probably most notable for being my luck having the camera with me, was a Peregrine Falcon which we found on a kill as we walked around one of the larger Forest tracks. Another was Woodcock, which we found active along the same forests tracks at night. Towards the evening on the 3 rd day we found a huge roost of Redwing within one forest, and not more 200 metres ahead and even bigger roost of Starlings, these arrived around half an hour before dark, and it was said there were 500,000 in the roost, I reckon at least a million, I judged this number to be true from the amount of white that dropped on my head and clothes. The raptor response to this was superb and was brilliant to watch. Emma and I honestly, nearly got knocked over by a Sparrowhawk that used the paths to fly low along, so determined was it to get through. Buzzard's were present throughout along with 16 Ravens who roosted in a neighbouring forests, this obviously after they had feasted on Starling first.

Bodmin moorland with Forest and great hunting habitat

Close up of the ungrazed grassland full of Vole evidence

A full report is being written for the Forestry Commission so this is just a snap shot of what has been happening. Next week we move on to Dartmoor for 4 days and nights, this after a weekend surveying Quantock and Mendip. Any quick updates will appear on Twitter and I now have a facebook account as well, apparently. I took some video of the Starlings on Bodmin Moor and will try to edit that when I have time. Let me once again though say a huge thank you to Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society and specially to Chris Mason of the Forestry Commission Sorry its been so long since the last blog but I hope you can all see why.

BFN

Sparrowhawk celebrates the end of the cold snap

The Snow has melted and even the thick ice on the ponds and drainage ditches has gone. Daytime temperature has returned to +10 degrees C, and the winter that some had called the beginning of the next ice age now seems just a distant memory. I really find it amazing that we who live in England have not come to terms yet with that thing called weather!Yesterday (Sunday), I went for a walk to my local woods. Lovely sunny, warm winter day which brought the Birds out singing, such as Nuthatch, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Coal Tit and yes Goldcrests seemingly everywhere (they made it through). Still some Redwings and Fieldfares but nowhere near the number we had during the Snow. On this weekend for the past 5 years I have sat in the same place looking up through the woodland canopy hoping to see the flight and display of the female Sparrowhawks. Well as you can see by these awful pictures this one did not let me down. On previous years I could have seen more than one displaying over the wood, but not this year. Indeed my garden has not been visited by Sparrowhawk for well over a year, this is unusual as we would have had going back 2 years ago, a fly by at least once a day. Our local Sparrs are certainly not as numerous as they were.

Now is this not a stunning bird! The poor Sparrowhawk, has been the subject of what I call "Hate animal of the month campaigns" simply because of what it does to survive, in that I mean it eats Birds. Predators have to eat and prey get eaten. Dinosaurs did it and nobody was there to moan, yet now it seems if we see a predator doing what evolution designed it to do, at least some us think it is wrong and we should interfere by culling the predator. There is nothing more special within our fantastic British countryside than the sight of Sparrowhawk flying low to the ground and then at break neck speed whipping up over the top of hedgerow and making a kill, anyone who likes hunting should be in awe at something far more skillful than they could ever be, and anyone who loves nature should marvel at the fact that millions of years of predator versus prey evolution just played out right in front of them. Long may the Sparrowhawk reign as the Queen of the Wood and Hedgerow, and whilst lots of my birder friends will be in awe at Goshawk displays this year. I will be in extra awe at our Sparrowhawks as this will be a tough year for them. My humble apologies about the quality of pictures these are a record of what I saw and not photographs :)

For more information about Sparrowhawk and other Birds of Prey and Owls visit http://www.hawkandowl.org/

An excellent website with live footage of Sparrowhawk go to http://sparrowhawk-island.co.uk/

Marsh Tit

Reed Bunting in the Garden showing of his ring

DOGS IN SNOW!

Its been a very long cold period, we have had two good snow falls, one I reported before Xmas, and now this lastest fall.  This now now been added to by Frost and Ice with a big drop in temperature.  Last night at 1800hrs coming through Churchill in North Somerset I recorded a temperature of minus 9.5 degress C.  I hear that in Scotland its got down to -22 C in places.  The coldest the garden at home has been so far is -6.5 but I never stayed awake to record the temperature in the early hours, so it could have got down even lower than 6.5.  The build up to the Long-eared Owl surveys is going really well, it will only be the weather that ruins it now.  Thanks to so many of our Mendip volunteers who are coming back once again to help with the Mendip survey.  I have spoken to Andy Harris (Quantock Ranger and Forestry Commission) today, so planning for Quantock is now underway. There will be a press release going out soon about the other surveys we are doing so as soon as the release date comes through I will update on this news as well.  I did manage to get out in the weather yesterday, so here are some pictures I took. I thought Dogs might make a change.

View from Blackdown across to Wrington Hill and Bristol International Airport

The Combe below is the famous Burrington Combe where the hymm "Rock of Ages" was written

  Ruby the dog (aka Ruby Doo) samples the Blackdown snowdrifts

                                                              

 And falls into another

And another!

Ruby and Saffy playing on top of the drifts Note that Saffy looks worried, she can sense the depth better than Ruby.

Lastly. Sunset at Charterhouse, the temperature dropped to minus 6 within 15 minutes of the Sun setting.

I will blog again soon with some wildlife next time, I must admit that I'm not happy to follow starving birds or mammals around with a camera, I think they are stressed enough in these conditions already. I will try using the stealth cams on the Water Voles on Saturday night.

BFN.

Best Wishes to all for 2010

I wish you all, all the best for 2010. For me there are new very exciting Hawk and Owl Trust projects starting. The Long eared Owl project will begin in January and sees' me out most nights looking for this rare Owl from Cornwall to Gloucester. The Barn Owl work will also be exciting as we return to old sites, seeing old friends and chewing the fat with farmers over what could be a major decline taking place in some localised areas, more to follow on this throughout the year. Little Owls will also feature heavily for me 2010. For those that follow the blog regularly will know that Little Owls we have released as re-habed birds have established themselves well in areas were they have been missing for sometime. This year (crossed fingers) I will be placing a camera into the nest of one these new pairs and carrying out some close monitoring of these birds. Also from April a new Schools education project starts, this is working with North Somerset District Council. I have been asked to review more camera equipment during 2010 and there are now some great publications that want my articles. There are many talks I do on varying subjects go to http://www.chrissperring.com/ to see the current list then book through my e mail.

Hope to see as many of you as possible through 2010 at various events or lectures.

BFN and have a great New Year

Merry Christmas

We still have Snow on the ground, first time I can't ever remember Snow on the ground at Christmas before. I'm about to open the Sherry bottle, so as I raise a glass, let me wish all my friends which includes everyone who visits my Blog and Twitter, a very Happy Christmas.

Some pictures of Snow

View across Gordano Valley to M5 from the wood
Note that line in the sky, the cloud looked quite evil yesterday.

Well it is Xmas

Blackbird in the garden taken on the 21st Dec 2009.

Shortest day and Longest night.

Happy solstice to all my friends living near or in the Artic circle, particularly my friends in Sweden, Norway, Canada and Alaska, this on the day when the sun reaches its lowest point at midday in the sky, something for you all to celebrate as after today the sun starts to make its long return. Here in UK from today up to December 30th we will gain a massive 59 seconds of daylight, whoopee!

Oh, by the way, we have lots of snow in North Somerset (South West England) this morning, which began falling last night, I leave you with this very Xmas looking cherry tree in my garden.
Very busy today so blog more later.

What A Beauty

Long way off, so no close up, but hey I don't care when I see a bird like this, its been sometime since Yellowhammers were round theze yer partz. I think the picture tells the story I need say no more.

The odd three out, and Long eared Owl update.

It been a busy past 2 weeks. Avalon Marsh 24 hour wildlife marathon is on and booked and this will start on midday of the 29th of May, and finish midday on the 30th. All the Long-eared Owl survey nights are also booked, and we can now confirm that Mendip AONB will fund for a third year for the LEO surveys on Mendip through the SDF. Big thanks to them. I will be e mailing the dates for these surveys prior to Xmas to all those that took part last year, this before sending PR to ask for additional help. Also at the weekend I was sent a task to photograph a Coal Tit and write an article about them here's one of the pictures, how did I do? Answers on the comment board please.

Yesterday (Sunday) I had a return, relaxing not working visit to RSPB Ham Wall nature reserve. It really is a great reserve, full of proper wild areas, not so called wild areas. The reserve places a big emphasis on people as well as wildlife which is brilliant and actually the combination of the 2 as in real wild and real people means that the people can get closer to the wildlife, as it does not feel so threatened, (well done RSPB). I did not go for the Starling spectacular, indeed I made sure I had left before the thousands of people turned up to watch the 15 million Starlings coming in to roost. Well that's what one birder told me as he left the railway pub. 15 Million wow!

I did find one starling as I walked along the old railway line path.

I had good, but distant views of 2 Marsh Harriers patrolling over the tops of the reeds, with slow flight and occasional turns with almost ungainly yet accomplished hovering. What great birds they are much maligned for all the wrong reasons. The scene at Ham Wall this afternoon remined me of being in Sweden when Tom Arnbom showed me a Swedish expanse of Marsh full of tall reeds and lots of Harriers which seemed to be dotted everywhere. As there was I bouncing up and down saying to Tom "oh my god, oh my god its a Harrier, oh there's another and another" There was I nearly passing with excitement. Looking across the reeds and marshes of Ham Wall really did remind me of that Swedish trip, here's a picture view looking across Ham Wall which includes of course Glastonbury Tor.

RSPB Ham Wall and the view of Glast Tor, a well run real wild reserve

Sadly the Harrier was too far away for a picture but a wild Kestrel followed me along the path, I have to say wild because when ever I show anyone my Kestrel pictures they all think they are Falconers birds, this is a genuine Ham Wall WILD Kestrel!!!!!

Lastly and last week I took this picture at the Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve of Catcott, you need to study the picture (double click for closer view) then leave a message on the comment board and answer the simple question which three birds are the ones that are not supposed to be on the Somerset Levels and in fact should be around the Mediterranean.

To answer the question just the species name will do, so leave your answer in the comments section. BFN see you all soon.

Redwings and Canon eos 7d video test.

Well finally it seems winter has arrived. Tuesday morning was greeted by a heavy frost and in came the Blackbirds, we have not had any Blackbirds in the garden since early October now after just one frosty morning the number shot up from 0 to 9. Also today 3.12.09 came the first sighting in the garden of the wintering Blackcap and its a male. When I was doing the live webcasting for Autumn Watch 2 weeks ago, I received an e mail from Tom Arnbom in Sweden to say he had still got Redwings in his garden with Chaffinch's as well, he also mentioned how mild it had been in Sweden meaning of course that these birds had not left yet. Also he did say he had Blackbird singing in his garden 4 months too early, or indeed too late depending on which way you look at it. Just after the frost I went for a walk to Portbury were around 100 Redwings were gathered in the scrub areas. They were very skittish as usual and difficult to get close too. In the cold morning air there was almost frenzied feeding from them as they were striping the last of the Hawthorn berries from the bushes. Here's a couple of pictures I got with the 7D and with no sun on them again I was using high ISO to keep the shutter speed up.

I have been also watching a couple of Short-eareds at night, this is me now returning to an old subject I studied some years ago and that is how much nocturnal hunting is achieved by Short-eared Owls on their wintering grounds. Its early days yet but returning to all the old sites that I had previously studied back in the 1980s and 90s has proved very interesting. More on this as the winter progresses. I have had quite few emails from you about the new camera, the Canon EOS 7D. In particular about testing the video side of the DSLR. I must say I have not had time to give the video part of this SLR a really good go over. Today I did find a Swan or two so I quickly took some footage them and so here is the result.

Edited in Magix pro 15 hence the slow motion which was deliberate on my part.

Here is another short bit this time in normal motion, there is no sound, I cut the sound out, there was far too much wind (no not mine, the natural wind) you can make your own mind up about the quality I'm very pleased with it and can think of many uses for this addition to a DSLR.

Hopefully see some of you at the weekend at Folly Farm for the Owl prowl, to the rest of you keep the emails coming, and BFN.

Peregrine Falcon

Last week I had a great opportunity to visit one of my local quarry's, and the saying round thez yer partz (local dialect) is "pick a quarry old or working and you will find Peregrines". These Peregrines did not let me down and it was great to spend a couple of hours with them. I should state, I was on a mission as with me were 2 great people from Quantock AONB. What they wanted to see was just how much disturbance a pair of Peregrines could put up with. These 2 are not the exception its probably more the case that they have got used to peoples coming and goings. What is important without doubt is that the people visiting know the Falcons are there and living in these more public quarry's because in that way it creates a respect on both sides. The problem again for these public quarry's is when people are not told about the Falcons and stumble into them, and this is where major disturbances takes place.

Another local quarry has now come forward to ask me to look at ways that people could be introduced to a quarry for the enjoyment of watching these magnificent Falcons. Now that's a real fun project to get my teeth into, mainly because bringing people and wildlife together is going to be so important in the future. Clearly there will be some species that this idea will not for, however the Peregrine is not one of those and providing its planned properly there is no reason why people should not be able to watch these birds at close quarters without the Falcons ever feeling threatened at all. People and wildlife is the key here, get the people interested in wildlife by giving them access to it, then when it is threatened and on their door step they are more likely to action to protect it.

This week is a planning week as the big Long-eared Owl survey begins in January, so if you have been involved before stand by for an e mail informing of the dates for some very late and very cold nights out.

BFN

Update News Aut Watch Webcam + BWRC Conference

As most people know by now, I helped out with the Autumn Watch webcams last week and did some audio commentary also I interviewed 2 guests and did some live bits to camera.
It was all great fun and very creative. I have had some great feedback via mail and the webcams message boards with some of you not believing it was not scripted or rehearsed. Honest folks nothing was scripted or rehearsed. In the control cabin was Phil, Jo and Kirstine all of whom were incredibly professional with literally their fingers on the controls bringing the live images of wildlife in Goblin Combe to you sat at your computers. That side of it was beyond me, however I think it was fair to say we struck up a good team feeling straight away, that is more to do with them than me. I took some pictures and here is one of the real stars of the show a Nuthatch or as I call them bandit Bird.

There are more pictures, but not many as when I was at the live webcam site it was pretty well full on, so not much time for pictures. Today I have just come back from the BWRC (British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council) conference. My lecture was about wild Owls and their behaviour and needs such as habitat etc, and of course using this information to help when we have to deal with releasing Owls. My thanks to the BWRC for inviting me, and I hope everyone present enjoyed the day. I certainly did as it was so good to meet so many other wildlife rehabilitators from the U.K and also other European countries. I do wonder however what the future of wildlife rehabilitation really is, as one point was made quite a few times, and that was that main stream Conservation does not appear to except its importance. But as I have seen with some our projects we can affect a positive difference for species in areas were certain species populations have dwindled, but of course this after checking thoroughly that the habitat is OK and that there is sufficient food for your target species. Some really good facts were brought out during the morning sessions this was based on good science, and for my own part I will now be writing a paper on the releasing of Owls that we have done, this will including survival rates and the monitoring methods we use. I will leave this blog entry with a picture of a Tawny Owl we released back in late August which we have followed on distribution still doing well and totally self supporting.

This picture was taken in almost darkness ISO 3200, spot the owl?
BFN I will try to blog more often.

Autumn Watch Webcasting

I have started webcasting for Autumn Watch here is the link to the site www.bbc.co.uk./autumnwatch/webcams/ the live cam is on now, and I will be live again Tuesday from about 1300hrs, then Wednesday from 1600hrs until 2100hrs, and lastly we are doing an early morning stint from 0700hrs on Thursdays.

Sign in to the message boards and make comments and join in the fun of watching wildlife live.

Today went really well, lots of birds, and Grey Squirrels. Took one picture with the camera

Testing Canon EOS 7D

I took the plunge. Goodbye my fabulous eos 30D you have served well been everywhere and taken most things. Welcome eos 7D, here's a test picture of Otus I took today in cloudy conditions.

Second picture is a Blue Tit in the garden, this taken during the height of the wind and rain storms so the light was awful. I used 2000 ISO, which on the 30D would have been very grainy, I'm very pleased with this result, now I can't wait for the sun to shine again.

From Monday to Thursday at various times I should be doing some live webcasting for Autumn Watch, the exact times I don't know yet but will update the blog and twitter when I do.
I will take the camera with me and publish on the blog anything of interest.
BFN

Update News

First of the wintering Redwings are now here, also this week whilst walking through a local woodland I watched in awe as I found a Goshawk (female) plucking at a wood pigeon on the path, it was a momentary observation as the Goss saw me then took off, but what a great sight (don't even ask where the camera was :( They are now breeding locally which is great news I'm keeping in close touch with one private landowner who really does like them, and doing well at protecting them. .

Tuesday night I did my first real wild talk which went down really well, this talk is a bit controversial and asks the question what is real wild? Also goes into how we manage nature reserves, the question is asked is it for wildlife or people? Climate change and the real cost on wildlife rears its head, and also discussed is the predation issue which leads very well into how we all seem to have lost our connectivity with the natural world, it was only supposed to be 45 minutes long, but I went on for an hour and half, but no one complained. My, lay off the Bramble Bush speech, also seemed to hit the spot especially when backed up with a species list that Bramble can contain. I met a really interesting man after the talk who has written a book about climate change and agreed with my stance on the issue, in fact if you are that person please get in touch as I do want to buy a copy of your book.

Indeed someone else after the talk did say I should write a book about the talk. Yea like I have the time.

This weekend is a busy one, starting Friday night is the Hawk and Owl Trust annual members conference, this year its in Somerset at Shapwick. I'm chairing the sessions and Friday night sees the first speaker and what a great start we have this year with Jemima Parry-Jones talking about Vulture decline, will be good to see Mima again. Saturday morning is more lectures then in the afternoon walks around the reserves on the levels, such as our own Shapwick Moor, and Natural Eng lands Shapwick Heath and the RSPB's magnificent Ham Wall. In the afternoon I have to slop off to Dillington House to join up with the Somerset Wildlife Trust this because its the Wildlife Trusts AGM and I'm one of its Trustees. I will be back with Hawk and Owl Trust by 1800hrs to welcome everyone back and to also welcome Fred Domeloff from Cotliegh Brewery.

Fred will be bringing with him the new Long-eared Owl Beer and I will do the first tasting (just to make sure its OK) After which is the members social evening.

Sunday is the local members groups round up, or what they have done in the last year, followed by Hawk and Owl Trust AGM.

Sunday night back home and bed.

Hornets the last word

OK unless they all start doing Shakespeare in the garden, this is the last Hornet item I'm doing this season. Its all proved very popular with lots of e mails still to answer and lots of confusion because the UK press have put out a big splash about the invasion in France by the Asian Giant Hornet. Because of this lots of harmless European and recently back from the brink Hornets are being squashed, smashed and nests destroyed. The best bit from this came from the British Museum who's very balanced approach was that there are in fact no reports of Giant Hornets in the UK, indeed they state that they probably won't be able to live here because of the wet and cold weather. If you do see what you think is a Giant Hornet, then just use the Google search box and write in Giant Hornet you will get lots of pictures and videos, then do the same for European Hornet and then compare the two. Interesting that in Germany the European Hornet has been protected for sometime with hefty fines given if they are destroyed, well good one you Germany, and yet again it seems we in the UK lag far behind with our wildlife education and legislation.

Full protection for the European Hornet in the UK. Where's Bug Life in all this? Comment please!

Owl surveys and re-hab monitoring next.

BFN

A New Beer For The Conservation of The Long eared Owl

Here it is and I do know its been a wait for all those volunteers that helped with the last 2 Long-eared Owl surveys. The latest news from Fred Domellof Director of Cotleigh Brewery is that Long eared Owl Beer will join the likes of Barn Owl bitter (named by me) Tawny and Snowy Owl ale. There is talk of a possible PR launch day with yours truly doing a tasting :) being accompanied by Otus the captive bred Long-eared Owl (hooo's tee total) Otus also features here on the pump clip label, picture taken by me.

I have been working with Cotleigh Brewery since the 80s, so before I became full time Hawk and Owl Trust Conservation Officer. Its a great partnership and an interesting way of highlighting the conservation effort in much wider circles. Imagine this, you are in a pub and some berk suddenly gets up and starts talking about Owl conservation. Actually its proved very popular and led to many farmers and other landowners creating great wildlife habitat that we may have never reached. Cotleigh Brewery brew real ales and they are very good indeed, don't take it from me try it for yourself the Brewery website is http://www.cotleighbrewery.com/ and you can now purchase Barn Owl Bitter in the bottle which includes my phone number on the bottle, from the likes of Asda and Tesco's. Fred also told me today that if you are Hawk and Owl Trust member and going to the members weekend from the 15th to the 17th of October then he will be delivering the first batch of Long-eared Owl Beer for the Saturday social evening and Fred himself will do a quick introduction, with once again yours truly doing the first tasting :)

There is more very exciting news to come on Long-eared Owls but this is a great start from Cotleigh Brewery thanks to Fred and gang in Wiveliscombe this is the brewery's 30th and this is also the Hawk and Owl Trust's 40th, if you are a member of the Hawk and Owl Trust and need more information on the members weekend conference go to http://www.hawkandowl.org/

If the boys from Sweden are reading this, then you should be proud, as Fred is from your country, now how about Owl beers in Sweden? You have 10 species, come on boys!

Lastly here is a copy of Fred's tasting notes.

LONG EARED OWL PREMIUM ALE - DARK COPPER COLOUR
ABV 4.9 %
A rich and bright darker copper coloured ale. Full flavoured with a rich floral aroma from first gold hops. Smooth on the palate with a long lasting bitter sweet finish.

Ingredients: Pale, Crystal and Chocolate Malt; Goldings, Fuggles, Northern Brewery and First Gold hops.