BRITISH BIRDS by David Parry
Like all owls, the barn owl benefits from excellent binocular vision as it hunts for food, usually at dawn and dusk. More widespread, though less numerous, than the tawny owl, it breeds in almost every county in Britain.
The barn owl inhabits caves, woodlands, barns and other buildings. it is a monogamous animal. Pair bond with its partner lasts for several years, until one of the partners die.
This Southern Boobook Owl was hit by a car while it was chasing prey in the beams of its headlights. It suffered a serious injury to its right eye - an injury that can prove fatal for nocturnal birds that depend on acute eyesight and stereo vision to locate their prey. The baby owl was taken to Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Western Australia, where it was treated for its injuries.
The Wildlife Caring: Rescue to Release stamp issue coincided with Wildlife Awareness Month in Australia. The issue was released for Stamp Collecting Month, which aims to bring the enjoyment of stamp collecting to children through educational themes. These particular stamps draw attention to the importance of Australian wildlife carers and their ability to return animals to their native habitat after injury or illness. - Australia Post
Medium-sized, pale owl, lacking feather ears, with a heart-shaped facial disc, and dark eyes; upper-parts grey, mixed with golden brown spots. In flight very long wings obvious. Usually nocturnal, may hunt by day in winter.
Voice: alarm call a short shrill "khrii"; also snoring and hissing noises. Song: two second long purring screech.
The village of Trautenfels is a small settlement around the Trautenfels Castle, situated directly on the Enns. The castle is on a small hill which towers about 30 meters above the valley floor. In 1261 it was called a castle (Burg) for the first time. In the baroque era it was given its present appearance by Friedrich von Trauttmannsdorf. Today it is in the possession of the Austrian Federal State of Styria and is managed by the Universalmuseum Joanneum as a museum and exhibition center.
