Owl terrorising my cat !

[londoneye]

We have a new owl on the block. He is out all during the day (no idea if at night) and sits on top of my neighbours roof - that is until he sees my cat - he then dives for the cat.    The cat has now taken to scurrying across the ground ducking from cover to cover. I even caught him cowering when a sparrow flew over him yesterday. This may not be a bad thing; it may reduce the number of bird carcasses in the garden now he has clearly met his match!

 

However, I have been googling owls which come out during the day and cannot seem to see one which seems likely. He is a cute little thing - small (well probably not from a cat's pov), brown, no white markings. There was a chick around a week or so ago but haven't seen it for last few days, so not sure if it is a female protecting a brood.

 

We are in Limousin region - does anyone else have an owl that they see all day ?

[HoneySuckleDreams]

it could be a little owl as they do come out during the day. Tawny owls tend to be nearly always nocturnal

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/littleowl/index.aspx

[londoneye]

Well done - just got the binoculars out (and he/she tracked my every movement - beginning to see why the cat is so nervous!).

 

The picture looks spot-on with the colouring, eye shape, no discernible ears.   Very cute.    The only thing I would say is it doesn't just come out at dawn and dusk; it sits on one roof or another for 75% of the day, primarily in a chimney opening, where I assume her nest (if she is female and has a nest!) is.

 

Many thanks

[woolybanana]

Well, one has a certain sympathy for the owl, given the toll that cats take on wildlife.

You must hope that the male and female do not both take to divebombing your poor moggy at the same time, otherwise, said moggy might decide to move house.