OUR OWLS at EXMOOR OWL & HAWK CENTRE

Discover Exmoor...come fly with us, ride with us, stay with us .....
and you will want to return again and again.......

There are 218 known species of owl around the world, and only a fraction of owls are kept in captivity. Very little is known about many species of owl, but their diversity in shape, colouration, hunting techniques and habitat make them one of the most fascinating group of birds of prey to study. As animal behaviourists at the Owl and Hawk Centre we can study them as they fly and interact with their environment here and teach us a great deal about the natural behaviour of owls around the world.

Visit our amazing Owl Garden where all our owls are housed in purpose built aviaries, and all owls are flown daily throughout the season. During the winter they are given a full rest period when they can enjoy peace and quiet in a perfect owl environment.

It is hoped that The Owl Garden will be further developed into 2011 with additional seating provided in loving memory of Ann Chamberlain, who loved this place so much, and who kindly donated Anuk to the Centre in 2007. The Owl Education Gazebo will be built in Ann's memory to provide a place where we can all discover and learn about the secret worlds of these beautiful birds of prey.

 

A largely diurnal bird flying witih rapid wingbeats and open-winged glides......
northern hawk owl, surnia ulula

Mottled Owl - 'Mottley'
Ciccaba virgata

Mottled owls are found from Central America, south into South America, inhabiting dry areas and forests........

 
mottled owl, ciccaba virgata

Barn Owl - 'Caspar'
Tyto alba

Caspar has been with us at Exmoor Falconry (now Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre) since 2003. Like all owls he has been hand reared, so he is content to be......
Barn owl, Tyto alba

Tawny Owl - 'Pip' and 'Tinker'
Strix aluco

Pip arrived in a cardboard box as a small item of fluff aged about 10 days. He was found on the main road at the bottom of Porlock Hill,.....

 
Tawny owl, Strix aluco

Spectacled Owl - 'Moccadoo'
Pulsatrix perspicillata

Moccadoo, still only a youngster, hatched April 2009, and true to form is developing slowly.......ever so slowly. He arrived flatpacked......

 
Spectacled owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata

Bengal Eagle Owl - 'Snoopy' & 'Nadi'
Bubo bengalensis

Snoopy has been at the Centre for many years, and is a past master at flying in display both in the Medieval Barn and in the outdoor display area. With such wealth of experience comes a little beligerance......
Bengal eagle owl, Bubo bengalensis

Boobooks Owl - 'Indi'
Ninox boobook

Indi is one of our incredible small owls that can really demonstrate an alternative way of hunting for food. In the wild he would catch all of his insect prey on the wing, or snatching it off plants, and Indi does just that in the barn.....
Boobooks owl, Ninox boobook

Eurasian Eagle Owl - 'Tiksi'
Bubo bubo

Tiksi is a young Eurasian Eagle Owl, bred and handreared at the Centre, in 2010. He is becoming a spectacular flier.........
eurasian eagle owl, European eagle owl, Bubo bubo

Great Grey Owl - 'Anuk'
Strix nebulosa

Anuk is one of our prize owls, and due to him we have developed the Owl Show. He has always been an owl of many moods, ............

Great grey owl, Strix nebulosa

Snowy Owl - 'Tundra'
Bubo scandiaca

Tundra was bred here at the Centre, and is one or our most spectacular owls as she flies and glides across the open fields ...........

African or Spotted Eagle Owl - 'Dela' and 'Sephooko'
Bubo africanus

Dela was hatched in 1994, and remains one of the oldest owls we have at the Centre. She is a real star, totally reliable, and much loved........
African Spotted Eagle owl, Bubo africanus

Brown Wood Owl - 'Laysha'
Strix leptogrammica

A new addition to our owl collection, Laysha promises to be a real favourite, with her laid back manner making her ideal for working with our many clients..........
Brown wood owl, Strix leptogrammica

Peruvian Striped Owl - 'Inca'
Asio clamator clamator, (Pseudoscops clamator or Rhinoptyx clamator)

Peruvian striped owls have not long been in the UK, so we are pleased that Inca has been able to join our interesting collection of owls from around the world. A member of the Asio group of owls, very closely related to our short eared and long eared owls.......

 

 Peruvian striped owl, Asia clammator clammator

FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL & HAWK AND OWL TRUST IDENTIFICATION CHARTS:

Discover British birds of prey
Sightings of some of the beautiful birds of prey that can be found in Britain are often fleeting, making identification difficult. This new guide launched by the Field Studies Council (FSC) provides information, hints and stunning images to help you to recognise some of the different species.

‘British Birds of Prey’ was produced in conjunction with the Hawk and Owl Trust and covers 15 species of day flying birds of prey with details about the characteristics, habitats and flight patterns of each. The chart has large colour illustrations of the birds, both in flight and perched, along with an indication of their size.

It also contains a wealth of facts about birds of prey in this country including some of the conservation measures being taken to protect them. Birds of prey have always been uncommon and some species have declined to just a few pairs. However other breeds now have thousands in the UK so there are still plenty of opportunities for spotting them.

Owls are also birds of prey although they are quite different to those featured in the ‘British Birds of Prey’ guide. A separate identification chart entitled ‘Owls and Owl Pellets’ is also available from the FSC for more detailed information about owls.

Suitable for all ages FSC fold out charts are durable and laminated making them ideal to take out and about. ‘British Birds of Prey’ is priced at just £2.75 plus postage and can be ordered from www.field-studies-council.org/publications or by contacting 0845 345 4072.

  

Contact us: Cathy & Rod, West Lynch Farm, Allerford, Nr Porlock,
Somerset TA24 8HJ  
House: +44 (0) 1643 862816;   Mobile: +44 (0) 7855-323464 ; exmoor.falcon@virgin.net