Link to Falconry Days

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

With heart shaped face, buff back and wings and pure white under parts the barn owl is a distinctive and much loved countryside bird. Widely distributed across the UK, and indeed the world, the bird has suffered declines over the past fifty years but fortunately, the population may now be increasing.

These images were both taken at Falconry Days, Falconry centre in Northumberland. Although I much prefer to take all of my photographs in the wild, this was one bird that alluded me and the ease of my local falconry centre was too much. The experience did allow unrivalled close views of one of my favourite birds.