| Topic: | Re:Re:Owls in eastern end of Grove Park | Forum Home |
| Posted by: | Cllr Sam Hearn | |
| Date/Time: | 16/08/20 18:55:00 |
| "I heard its wings moving the air before I actually saw it." I always understood that one of the chief characteristics of owls was their ability to fly silently and this is confirmed in this extract from ask.nature.org "Specialized feathers of the owl enable near-silent flight by altering air turbulence and absorbing noise. The leading edge of an owl's feathers reduces noise. Owls are known as silent predators of the night, capable of flying just inches from their prey without being detected." The first time that I saw an owl in the wild (deepest Bucks near Cadmer End) its silent flight completely spooked me. It is easy to understand how in days of yore they were mistaken for ghosts. |