What a Hoot!

Have you ever wondered what a Tawny Owl looks like when it hoots? It’s one of those moments you always hope for but rarely get to witness clearly—especially in daylight.

Last weekend, I had one of my most memorable encounters yet with this usually elusive species. Early in the morning, I spotted a male Tawny Owl perched low and out in the open—already unusual. He was alert and watching, not tucked away in typical roosting mode.

Then, completely unprompted, he began hooting continuously, his throat puffed out and his wings softly quivering with the effort of each call. It was a real privilege to see and photograph him mid-hoot—something I’d only previously seen under cover of darkness.

Eventually, he flew off into dense cover, where I could hear a female Tawny calling back. It’s always a thrill to witness a duet between a pair, and I can’t help but wonder if they have young in a nearby nest. Hopefully I’ll be able to return soon and perhaps spot the next generation.

This image captures that magical mid-hoot moment, and I’ll be sharing more photos from this special encounter soon.

🛒 Like what you see? You can find a growing range of photo cards and fine art prints in my Etsy shop—linked in the menu above.