Owl be right here waiting…
Lonely lovebird continues quest for soul mate
They say good things come to those who wait and a lovesick snowy owl will be hoping that really is the case after a seven-year search for love.
The large white owl, similar to Harry Potter’s faithful companion Hedwig, first appeared on the Outer Hebrides in 2003. Each year he takes up his pattern of nomadic wandering in his quest for a mate.
In the past, his search has taken him all around the islands, including visits to North Uist, Lewis, Harris and even remote St Kilda, but sadly all to no avail.
It is thought the roaming Romeo is at least 8 years old. He was identified as male when his white feathers lost some of the black flecking more commonly recorded in younger snowy owls. From his plumage and visits, local RSPB Scotland staff can ascertain he is the same bird and has been without a mate for years now.
Hopes were raised in 2008 when the bird was joined by another snowy owl, but dreams of a happy ending were dashed when it emerged he too was also male.
No snowy owl has bred in Britain since 1975 when famously a pair bred in Shetland. Given minimal human disturbance the Western Isles would be an ideal site for the birds to breed as it has a plentiful supply of rabbits and lots of open moorland and rocky landscapes.
Martin Scott, RSPB Scotland Conservation Officer, said: ‘With winter lying snow he has gone unreported for a couple of months, but is now back visiting his old haunts. We are monitoring his movements but in reality all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that he will find another wandering bird, and this time it will be female.’
Snowy Owls are rare visitors to Britain and Ireland but there has been an increase in records in the past three years. This particular bird on the Western Isles has been a major draw for visitors and has become something of a local celebrity.
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