**'Jeff Martin explores the Tawny Owl's natural history in the greatest
detail. Where controversy has arisen in the literature, he has put
forward all points of view so the reader can make his or her own
judgements. There seems nothing concerning the biology of this owl that
Jeff has not researched.'
- Derek Bunn, author of The Barn Owl**
The haunting calls of the Tawny Owl can be heard from Scandinavia in the
north of its range to North Africa in the south. Most people would
consider it to be a common and widespread species throughout Europe, but
populations in Britain at least are declining, and we need to understand
more about the behaviour and ecology of this magnificent woodland bird
if its future is to be secured.
Jeff Martin has been studying owls for decades, and in this timely book
he combines his personal observations
together with those of other ornithologists and a comprehensive review
of the literature, resulting in some surprising revelations. It was not
long ago, for example, that the Tawny Owl was considered to be one of
the most nocturnal of all owl species, but in recent years it has been
observed sunbathing, calling and even hunting in broad daylight.
The Tawny Owl begins by exploring the research that has been
undertaken over the last two centuries, and the gaps that remain in our
knowledge. Subsequent chapters detail the evolution and classification
of this relatively young species, its status and distribution across
Europe, its feeding, breeding and behavioural ecology, why numbers are
falling, and what we can do about it. Interestingly, this silent hunter
appears to be increasingly preying on passerine birds, as forest
degradation and destruction have had a negative impact on small mammal
numbers.
The book concludes by looking at the role that Tawny Owls have played in
British culture, and whether the changes in behaviour and plumage among
the British population could mean we have a new subspecies evolving on
our island.
