Eagle Owl beside Yuen Long Highway
Around midday today I travelled back to Sheung Shui from Tuen Mun (along Yuen Long Highway) on a Public Light Bus.
I was gazing at the unfamiliar surroundings in Lam Tei when I noticed what looked like a rolled-up piece of matting at the base of the perspex sound barrier beside the carriageway. The "matting" had bright orange eyes and ear tufts... it was an Eagle Owl !
The minibus didn't stop until it got to Sheung Shui. I was reasonably confident I hadn't imagined the owl, but if it really was an owl my presumption was that it must be injured and need help. However, Eagle Owls have sharp talons, and I didn't want to try to pick it up by myself.
After discussions with a couple of people I decided that the only thing to do was to go back, make sure the bird was still there and report the location accurately to the police, who should then call out AFCD.
With mixed feelings I returned to Lam Tei (an hour or so later)in a taxi to find the bird still there. After I dialled the police, two officers from the Traffic Section arrived very quickly.
I was not carrying my camera, and these photos were taken by one of the Traffic officers - "Dicky" on his mobile phone.
The owl showed no sign of physical injury, but sat quite still, watching our every move. However, with the traffic thundering past, one of us must have stepped too close to it, because it suddenly took off and flew across the road, disappearing into the trees beyond.
It really seemed to have no trouble flying, and so, in a way, I was glad to see it go.
How did it get there ? Why did it stay so long in such a dangerous place in bright daylight?
It might have been nearly a victim of the translucent sound barriers, or it might have been hit by a vehicle on the road..I don't know.
[ Last edited by John Holmes at 22/09/2011 17:46 ]
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