been a long time

Summer 2013 was pretty much a blank nesting season for Co.Durhams Long-eared's, so at the moment winter roosting birds are on the whole "bad to get".  That being said, i know of  two double figure roosts, one holding at least a dozen birds.
Heres one sitting nicely - taken at range with iPhone 4GS hand held to Nikon fieldscope x30 mag.

From New Year, it has been pleasing to note that our male Longs have commenced their display flights right on cue , with several local owlers connecting & yet another new pair found in suitable habitat.  (MH/DC/GS/SE et al )
Heres an iPhone snap shot of a male displaying overhead :-

Bakers Dozen Hedgerow Leo roost

A good afternoon with a loose Hedgerow roost containing at least 13 Long

A couple roosting openly for a change 

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This scowling bird below is obviously uneasy.

Not so much because of my presence - initially it was asleep, although a guy shouting for his dog at the top of his voice attracted its attention & it saw me straight off.

and the dogs name which bellowed out ........ "Leo !"

roosting Long's

A roost of Long-eared Owls

& the fourth one was the closest....we hadnt even noticed it !

A clip of this fourth bird checking us out....

# # short OWL Clip # #

These birds all visible from a public footpath & we were pleased to have left the roost as we found it, intact.