Bird I.D(sorry no pic)

heavyballs

Spotted a large bird around 1am in Kilcoole,it flew from the woods right across the main road and perched on top of a light,i stopped the car but it flew off.
I see a lot of buzzards around my area and sizewise this bird would be slightly smaller in wingspan,i was preey certain it was some sort of owl judgeing by the big lazy wings,is there an owl this big native to Ireland???

OpenYourEyes

Long-eared Owl might be of similar size? I've never seen one, but just off the top of my head they might be similar. Woodland habitat across the road probably fits the bill for them too!

heavyballs

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

Long-eared Owl might be of similar size? I've never seen one, but just off the top of my head they might be similar. Woodland habitat across the road probably fits the bill for them too!

Thanks,that would be great,thanks for your input

dodderangler

There's plenty long ears around lately but also a few people have lost eagle owls so it might be one aswell

swifts need our help!

Long-eared owls look a bit like a buzzard in flight but imagine a flying buzzard without a head

heavyballs

swifts need our help! wrote: »

Long-eared owls look a bit like a buzzard in flight but imagine a flying buzzard without a head

I've been on the prowl the last few nights to try to spot it again but no joy so far

dodderangler

swifts need our help! wrote: »

Long-eared owls look a bit like a buzzard in flight but imagine a flying buzzard without a head

You won't see a buzzard flying at night they have no reason to fly at night they do all flying during the day and rest at night an owls do the opposite rest all day fly at night

heavyballs

dodderangler wrote: »

You won't see a buzzard flying at night they have no reason to fly at night they do all flying during the day and rest at night an owls do the opposite rest all day fly at night

my initial reference to a Buzzard was just in terms of size and wingspan in particular

cuddlycavies

There is a marsh Harrier hanging around Kilcoole. Likely thats your bird. Maybe female Hen Harrier either or red kite. All local to this part of wicklow.

cuddlycavies

Also Short eared owl is a big bird and diurnal. Long ear is a small bird. But I'd say harrier.

dodderangler

cuddlycavies wrote: »

There is a marsh Harrier hanging around Kilcoole. Likely thats your bird. Maybe female Hen Harrier either or red kite. All local to this part of wicklow.

Yeah but he said 1 am in morning so it was dark out so it's definately An owl I'd say a short ear or possibly an eagle owl as they are night hunters
Any bird from buteo family in Ireland hunt during the day and are more active mid day and then rest at night

cuddlycavies

Short eared are diurnal. I assumed that he made a mistake with the time. The guy not the bird.