Kensington Tawny Owls please (1 Viewer)

[Baron Birder]

I am up in town tomorrow and would like to see the Tawny Owls in Kensington Gardens. If it is permitted can someone give me an idea whereabouts I should be looking?

Thanks

 

[London Birder]

I am up in town tomorrow and would like to see the Tawny Owls in Kensington Gardens. If it is permitted can someone give me an idea whereabouts I should be looking?

Thanks

Sure thing.

Enter Kensington Gardens via Lancaster Gate the turn right onto the North Flower Walk til it meets a path running south (with a monument that looks like a small Cleopatra's Needle), this is Lancaster Walk. Follow this south until you reach the second bin/bench on your right hand side (you should see a statue of a big bloke on a horse at the end of this path but no need to go that far).

Now, face said bin/bench and you'll see a bunch of leafless horse chestnuts in front of you.

The owls (both adults and three owlets) are in these trees, the youngsters often quite high up and the adults usually against tree trunks.

Usual scenario is both adults are perched in different trees, with the young all together in a third.

Showed superbly today, all wide awake.

Alternatively I could meet you on site c13:00hrs (I'll be there anyways as it's my patch) and lead you to them.

Hope this helps.

 

[Baron Birder]

Hi London Birder

Many thanks for the prompt reply and email. 1pm is about when we , there will probably be three of us, should be there coming from Beckenham. So if you see us please do introduce yourself and point us where we should be if we arent already on the spot. Will pm you with my mobile number

Cheers
BB

 

[London Birder]

Not a problem, have responded privately.

There's also a nice summer-plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull on the Round Pond at the mo if you have time to take that in, though it's likely to depart any day now.

Best of luck.

 

[Thing]

A shameless plug for my blog - it contains rubbish pictures of the owls. (Just in case you miss them ).

 

[Thing]

More shameless pictures of them a week on from the last lot on my blog.

Shameless!

 

[GorgeousTony]

London Birder,

many thanks for divulging the location of the owls. I went along today and had great views of all 5.

Tony

 

[London Birder]

No problem Tony, glad you got good views.

London Birder,

many thanks for divulging the location of the owls. I went along today and had great views of all 5.

Tony

 

[Woody]

Thanks for the info Des, I found them today using your excellent directions and what a cracking bunch they are! The little'uns I spotted pretty quickly, the adults were a bit tricky but I managed to track down both eventually.

Owlet paintings coming up I think!

Mike

 

[romillyh]

Des, is it true that there were 4 owlets to start with and that one disappeared? I seem to remember seeing this somewhere but can't now track down a reliable source.

romillyh
—————————————
http://www.godsownclay.com/TawnyOwls/tawnyowlsentrypa.html

 

[Stoggler]

Any idea if they're still there?

 

[London Birder]

Des, is it true that there were 4 owlets to start with and that one disappeared? I seem to remember seeing this somewhere but can't now track down a reliable source.

romillyh
—————————————
http://www.godsownclay.com/TawnyOwls/tawnyowlsentrypa.html

Nope, just the three this year - four last year.

 

[London Birder]

Any idea if they're still there?

Hi Stoggler,

Had a look today but the leaf growth has come on enormously and consequently no show.

They are undoubtedly still in situ though so I'll post here if I get any further sightings.

If not there's usually an adult viewable at day-roost during the autumn/winter and you can bet there'll be more young on show early spring 2010.

Nice male Garganey on nearby Serpentine today however.

 

[Stoggler]

Hi Stoggler,

Had a look today but the leaf growth has come on enormously and consequently no show.

They are undoubtedly still in situ though so I'll post here if I get any further sightings.

If not there's usually an adult viewable at day-roost during the autumn/winter and you can bet there'll be more young on show early spring 2010.

Nice male Garganey on nearby Serpentine today however.

Thanks Des

I shall look out for them when I'm down that way.

Regards

 

[CliffB]

If there is any news of the owls for 2010, I'd be very grateful for an update.

 

[honeym]

Hi Cliff

I saw one adult in the usual spot recently but I've not read about any breeding activity.

I work just down the road so will pop in and up-date when I have time.

Alternatively, there are often reports on London Bird Club http://londonbirders.wikia.com/wiki/London_Bird_Club_Wiki

or on Des McKenzie's blog http://hpkg.blogspot.com

Martin

 

[honeym]

Hi Cliff

I popped up to the park after leaving work yesterday but saw no sign of any Tawny Owls. Will try again later in the week.

Martin

 

[honeym]

Hi Cliff

From London Bird Club Wiki yesterday:

Kensington Gardens: both ad Tawny Owl and all 4 owlets showing well

Martin

 

[honeym]

Popped up to the park this lunchtime and both ad Tawny Owl and all 4 owlets showing really well, viewable from the path.

Martin

 

[Vespa]

One from the weekend here:

http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?rty=0&r=0&off=243346&loff=243373&album=865&v=0

What a great sight - all four plus both adults. Took my daughter, we had a great couple of hours and met some nice people. Definitely worth a look before the leaves obscure them :t: