Southern Boobook Owl

Last night we had a wonderful visitor to our garden. Just before we turned on the television we heard the unmistakeable call of a Southern Boobook Owl in our garden. I immediately grabbed a powerful torch and head outside. Unfortunately the bird not only stopped calling, it must have flown off. I searched a few of the trees where I thought that the sound had been coming from but to no avail. Never mind, it was good to hear it and know that this species is still around.

It was a special visitor because we are so infrequently aware of this species of owl in our garden or in our little patch of mallee scrub about 80km east of Adelaide, South Australia. We actually hear it only a few times a year – at best. I guess we should switch off the television more often. Or perhaps I should head off with a torch and walk the “estate” more often – all five acres of it!

Because the bird we heard last night did not hang around very long, there was no opportunity to grab the camera for a photo. The photo above – possibly the same bird – was taken in one of our trees a year or so ago. On that occasion the bird obligingly posed for two photos.

Update October 13th: we heard it again this evening. This time it was closer to the house and we had a good view of it – twice in a few days is special.

Other nocturnal birds

Below is a list of nocturnal birds I have recorded on our property. Click on each to go to articles and photos of them.

• Southern Boobook Owl
• Barn Owl
• Spotted Nightjar
• Australian Owlet Nightjar
• Tawny Frogmouth