|
scallop6th Mar 2026Scallop
Bay is a distinctive feature on the NE Yorkshire coast. Sitting below the hard gritstone edge, and a series of volcanic intrusions, the sea is actively working away at the soft glacial sediments, backed up by the efforts of the stream network above. Over time, the bowl is enlarging.
The result is a large scallop. A fretwork of woodland, mixed farmland and moorland, Bay is a large amplifier; sound travels far and wide. Late winter is the best time to test this theory. It is the period when owls are at their most active, and when the call of one might be heard, and met, by the call of many others. Last night, there were owls dotted across the woodland front, in battered valley stands of ash and oak, and across the old buildings too.
The tawny owls began their first seduction several hours before dusk. By the time light was ebbing, the number, and spread, of tawnies was growing. Without any moon, it swiftly became pitch black, there were 6 birds calling and countercalling. Walking around the bowl confirmed the dynamic, but established, pattern of territories.
Barn owls are fewer, but are there. The distinctive old-style gear throttle changes of barn owls is heard most nights, but I was clearly disturbing them as I came upo the hill in the dark - streetlights don't exist. To the left and right of me were counter-calling / annoyed barn owls. Seen during the daylight in much the same places, at night they were unseen but heard.
So, we had 8 owls on a half hour walk. Not bad, and about 7 more than down south . |
|
