Can you spot the birdie?

2:48pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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ONE of the most important lessons which birdwatchers need to know is never to rush, but always keep your eyes and your ears open.

Keith Hall has often sent me postcards of old places in Lancashire which are part of his postcard collation, but this week he revealed another of his talents.

Whilst out for a walk near Clitheroe he focused his binoculars on a hollow in a tree. There he saw a tawny owl and soon his camera was able to focus on a close-up of the bird.

This picture shows how perfectly camouflaged the owl was in the daytime hiding place.

Tawny Owls have huge pupils which let in lots and lots of light.

Owls cannot see in absolute darkness, but there is no such thing as total darkness outside in the open.

What owls do is to make use of every tiny glimmer of light which very few other animals are able to equal.

Owls also have excellent hearing and this is the case with all birds. This is why birdsong is so important to attract males in the breeding season.

To return to the subject of learning lessons in the countryside. We need to sit still and keep quiet.

This means that looking and listening should be vital for all naturalists, however experienced they think they are.