The tawny owl is a very rare visitor in the central part of the country. A large, almost white owl was last seen in Muurame today.
A rare bird visitor has been wondered and admired in Muurame in recent weeks.
The Barred Owl has been moving around the Hautalahti private house area, along the road leading to the Riihivuori ski resort on the roofs of houses and on snow-covered dirt piles, and has occasionally visited the surrounding area to hunt.
The last time the species was observed in the area of the Central Finland Ornithological Society was 22 years ago.
Now the first fell owl sighting in Muurame was recorded in the BirdLife Suomen Tiira bird information service on December 4.
Nokelainen says that the bird may have flown in the area before. The latest observations on it were made today, Thursday.
Climate change has not brought the owl south
Nokelainen estimates that Muurame is probably just a stopping place for the barn owl. The bird usually lives in Finland in the northern part of the Finnish Lapland, and the breeding population of the species is small.
– Perhaps a few pairs may nest in Finland each year. The size of the population has decreased very strongly during the last decades. It is an extremely endangered bird species, a globally endangered species, states Nokelainen.
Is climate change the reason why the tawny owl is seen this way in southern Finland? According to Nokelainen, no. He says that the southern observations may tell more about the ecology of the species.
– When there is a good feeding year in the north, the fell owls also migrate south and can be seen as far as the outer islands of the Baltic Sea. Perhaps the fact that the tawny owl has not been seen in central Finland for 22 years indicates that the species’ numbers are quite small. This could indicate that the sport is not doing very well in general, reflects Nokelainen.
And have the slopes of the Muuramen Riihivuori skiing center been able to attract a bird that thrives in the open fell landscape?
– Maybe the bird has noticed that there is an interesting object here, so let’s stop and see if we can find a fin here. It is difficult to say more precisely whether the ski slopes have attracted the bird, reflects Nokelainen.
Don’t go near a tawny owl
In Nokelainen’s words, the barn owl is a wonderful, big, showy and exceptionally charismatic animal.
Downy owls are almost completely white and females and juveniles have a bit of black and white plumage. The weight of the bird can be 2-3 kilos and the wingspan can be one and a half meters.
The mountain owl preys on small rodents, and in the mountains in Lapland, especially mountain owls. Woodpeckers, voles and mice are also on its menu.
Nokelainen describes that the fell owl is the top beast in his own life.
– It doesn’t exactly avoid humans and the species relies on its excellent protective coloration. It should perhaps avoid humans more and since it relies on its protective color, people should not approach it. The owl should be given peace of mind and its own space.
Careful birdwatching also includes not parking your car where it hurts and not trespassing in strangers’ yards.
According to Nokelainen, the owls’ search for urban areas, even city centers, tells about the food situation.
– There is probably little food elsewhere and rats and other rodents are usually found near human settlements. Many beasts are top beasts, and they don’t shy away from people, but rely on their protective coloration, and that’s why you can often get a close look at them, Nokelainen knows.