THE TAWNY OWL. By Jeff R. Martin.

Martin (Jeff R.).

ISBN 10: 1472980697 / ISBN 13: 9781472980694

Published by T & A D Poyser. London. 2020, 2022

About this Item

ALL UK PARCELS SENT TRACKED! ALL OVERSEAS PARCELS SENT AIRMAIL, TRACKED! (New, Paperback, 2022). 2022 1st paperback edition. 8vo (158 x 234mm). Pp304. Colour photographs, b/w photographs, b/w illustrations by John Davis, charts and tables, bibliography. Paperback with flaps. Fine new unread copy. A classic Poyser monograph, exploring the natural history of the tawny owl in great detail. Chapters include: Introduction and influences; Origins; Classification and physiology; Status and distribution; Behavioural traits; territory and species relationships; The sense; flight, plumage and moult; feeding ecology; Nesting, fledging and dispersal; Factors influencing populations; Conservation; Folklore, superstitions and culture; An island race? Appendices tabulate prey species and their realtionship to the tawny owl's habitat preferences. "There seems nothing concerning the biology of this owl that Jeff has not researched in the voluminous literature quoted. Highly recommended for all afficionados of owls." PREVIOUS PRICE GBP 35.00.

Seller Inventory # 62091

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE TAWNY OWL. By Jeff R. Martin.
• Publisher: T & A D Poyser. London. 2020
• Publication Date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1472980697
• ISBN 13: 9781472980694
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

'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.

About the Author

Jeff Martin is a field ornithologist with a passion for studying owls and the small mammal species that they rely upon for food. His keen observations led to him being appointed Suffolk Mammal Recorder in the 1990s, until his research on owls eventually took over his available time. He has previously written two books about Barn Owls: Barn Owls in Britain and The Barn Owl: Guardian of the Countryside, but in recent years the Tawny Owl has become the focus of his attention. He lives in Essex.