In the 12th of a series of articles featuring the images of local photographers who document the wildlife of Wanstead Park and the surrounding area, Diane Dalli presents her shot of a Little Owl on Wanstead Flats
My hobby is wildlife photography and my favourite subjects are birds of prey, such as Kestrels, Buzzards and Sparrowhawks, all of which can be spotted at times on Wanstead Flats.
There are also one or two Little Owls around in the woods here. They nest in large old trees with hollow cavities and have successfully bred here, as young owlets have been spotted occasionally. They feed mainly on invertebrates such as worms, beetles and grasshoppers and the occasional small mammal or bird. When they spot their prey, they will swoop down to catch it with their sharp talons.
Little Owls are the smallest UK owls and so are not that easy to spot. They are mainly nocturnal but are also active during the day and can sometimes be seen perching on a branch, especially if the sun is out. They are easier to see when the trees have lost their leaves and there is less cover as their markings make very good camouflage. The giveaway is the pair of sulphur-yellow eyes staring out with a very stern expression.
I was lucky enough to spot this Little Owl in a wooded area of Wanstead Flats one morning in May. It sat there staring at me for some time and I was able to take some photos as it posed, seemingly unconcerned. As I was taking my leave, it blinked, and one of its eyelids got stuck, giving it the appearance of a wink!
It was another unexpected magical moment on Wanstead Flats and the reason I will keep coming back with my camera.
To view more of Diane’s wildlife photos, visit wnstd.com/dalli
