3 October β 1 November
the coastal calendar, shifted 32 days later for this region
Old trees with cavities, including in town parks; calls loudest on still autumn nights.
Autumn, not spring, is when tawny owls are noisiest β the young are being driven off territory and the adults are re-establishing boundaries. Branchers in May are flightless, on the ground, and being watched by a parent that will strike.
photos, sightings and recordings, off this site
where this species is on the list
| Phase | When | Length | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| courting | 2 November β 1 April | 151 days | Song, display, fighting, scent-marking β pairs forming or reaffirming. |
| on eggs | 2 April β 2 May | 31 days | Clutch laid and being incubated, or buried and left to the sun. |
| raising young | 3 May β 5 June | 34 days | Dependent young in the nest, den or burrow, being fed. |
| young have left | 6 June β 1 September | 88 days | Young out of the nest or den, but still fed and followed by the adults. |
| young dispersing | 2 September β 2 October | 31 days | Young leaving for good, looking for a territory of their own. |
| moulting | 3 October β 1 November | 30 days | Feathers or coat replaced. Many birds go quiet and hide while it happens. |