Dark-breasted Barn Owl
Tyto alba guttata (Brehm, CL, 1831) (1, 1)
Photo © Steve Binney
Sub-species
STATUS
Cosmopolitan. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
The nominate form of Barn Owl that occurs in Britain, has also been found to show features of the continental guttata, thus proving that there are intergrades present.
A paper by P. R. French in British Birds (102: 494-503) lists the key features to identify a true guttata. These are:
Dark buff underparts, extending right down onto belly, legs and undertail.
Extensive dark markings around the eye, spreading out across the facial disc.
Extensive grey markings over the entire upperparts, with clearly more grey than buff visible. Other supplementary features are:
Mostly (preferable all) grey crown.
Bold dark bars across the outer primaries.
Dark grey tips to the primaries.
A darker brown edge to the facial disc.
The Pending records are those that have been stated to be in musuems standing the best chance under the new criteria of acceptance and all are awaiting confirmation.
Without a specimen or detailed description of those records under 'Not proven', there is little chance of acceptance.
RECORD
1). 1864 Norfolk Near Norwich, female, shot, 13th December, specimen now at Tring, (BMNH 1955.6.N-20.4823).
(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1865: 9495; Stevenson, 1866; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009; BOURC (2013), Ibis 156: 239; BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 188).
History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9495, dated 6th February, 1865, says: 'An extremely dark variety of the Barn Owl, a female, was shot near Norwich, on the 13th, and is particularly interesting from its resemblance, in colour and markings, to a specimen in the Raptorial Collection of the Norwich Museum, presented by Professor Reinhardt. Of the latter the Professor writes, in a letter to Mr. Newton (October 9th, 1860), "The bird is from Fyen, but it is, I think, no peculiar race, at least not peculiar to the said island, where the bird is rare; I should rather suppose that all the examples of Strix flammea from Sleswig-Holstein and the northern parts of Germany are nearly as dark beneath as the specimens you saw in Copenhagen".
Our Norfolk example of this singularly dark variety, which it is quite possible may have come across from the Danish locality referred to by Professor Reinhardt, has the whole of the lower surface of the body rich reddish fawn-colour; the facial disk rusty-red, becoming greyish white only near the outer edge, with the upper portions of the plumage ash-grey spotted as usual, but with very little inter-mixture of buff.'
Stevenson (1866 (1): 53) adds: 'An extremely dark variety of this owl in the Norwich Museum (British series, No 29b).'
1950-57 RECORD
2). 1951 Shetland Sumburgh, Mainland, shot, 16th October, had been present for two to three weeks, now at Shetland Museum.
(Venables & Venables, 1955; Pennington et al., 2004; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 106: 603).
History Venables & Venables (1955) under 'Dark-breasted Barn Owl, say: 'On 16th October 1951 one was shot by J. Bolt at Sumburgh aerodrome; it had been frequenting the hangers for the previous two to three weeks.'
PENDING RECORDS
). 1877 Norfolk Sparham, female, killed, 6th January, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(Riviere, 1930).
History Riviere (1930) says: 'A female in the Gurney collection, now in the Norwich Museum, killed at Sparham on 6th January 1877.'
). 1886 Warwickshire No locality, shot, 6th February, now at Birmingham Musuem.
(E. St. George Betts, British Birds 21: 261).
History E. St. George Betts (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 261, says: '...authentic preserved example of this form of Barn-Owl in the Birmingham Museum. The latter specimen was originally in the Chase collection and was shot by Mr. Field, of Lyndon House, Olton, Warwickshire, on February 6th, 1886.'
). 1893 Sussex Shoreham-by-Sea, caught, 24th October, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(Booth, 1901; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
History Booth (1901: 201, 3rd ed.) says: 'Case No. 313. The two specimens in the case were both obtained in Sussex; one is stuffed flying, and was caught in a barn at Shoreham, October 24th, 1893, and was bought and presented by Mr. H. Willett.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F. Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903.
These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Central European Barn-Owl (Strix flammea flammea). Three specimens of this form with the dark brown underparts are recorded, viz.: - One caught in a barn at Shoreham, Sussex, on October 24th, 1893....It will be noticed that these were all obtained on the south coast in autumn.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 233).
). 1900 Sussex Rottingdean, killed, early November, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(Booth, 1901; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
History Booth (1901: 201, 3rd ed.) says: 'Case No. 313. The two specimens in the case were both obtained in Sussex...the other was killed early in November, 1900, at Rottingdean.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F . Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Central European Barn-Owl (Strix flammea flammea). Three specimens of this form with the dark brown underparts are recorded, viz. : - ...A second killed at Rottingdean in November, 1900...It will be noticed that these were all obtained on the south coast in autumn.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 233) says: 'In the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton, there are two more veritable Dark-breasted Barn Owls. Of these, one was procured near Rottingdean early in November (Mr. Pratt, of Brighton, received it for stuffing on the 8th), 1900.'
). 1901 Sussex Shoreham-by-Sea, obtained, September, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
History N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F . Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Central European Barn-Owl (Strix flammea flammea). Three specimens of this form with the dark brown underparts are recorded, viz. : - ...and the third obtained at Shoreham in September, 1901. It will be noticed that these were all obtained on the south coast in autumn.' Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 233).
). 1905 Norfolk Near Norwich, female, killed, 16th October, now in Riviere collection.
(Riviere, 1930).
History Riviere (1930) says: 'A female in the writer's collection killed near Norwich on 16th October 1905.'
). 1908 Dorset Came, obtained, undated, now in Dorchester Museum.
(F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 40: 70; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 183; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 61: 149; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 67: 108; Boys, 1973; Green, 2004).
History F. L. Blathwayt (1920) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XL. p. 70, says: 'Dark-breasted Barn Owl (Flammea flammea guttata). - A specimen which F.L.B. has recognised as apparently of this race, which is a rare visitor to east and south-east England from the Continent, is in the Dorchester Museum labelled "Came, 1908". Not previously recorded for Dorset, and this is perhaps the most westerly record for England.'
Not accepted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 183, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', who now places it in square-brackets, saying: 'A specimen in the Dorchester Museum from Came, 1908, appears to belong to this Continental form.'
Still not accepted by F. L. Blathwayt (1940) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXI. p. 149, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', who still keeps the record in square-brackets, and again F. L. Blathwayt (1946) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXVII. p. 108, under 'A Revised List of Birds of Dorset'.
). 1915 Shetland Baltasound, Unst, male, caught, 5th November, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1915.145).
(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 36: 76-77; Eds., British Birds 10: 47; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1916) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXVI. pp. 76-77, says: 'In November last Dr. Edmondston Saxby forwarded to me a male Barn Owl from Balta Sound, in the Island of Unst, where it had been captured in a rat trap, set in an outhouse, on the 5th of the month. Hitherto there have been no authentic records of the appearance of this bird in either the Shetland or Orkney groups, and hence its visit to the northernmost of the British Isles is to be regarded as a noteworthy occurrence. The interest in the present record is further enhanced by the facts that the specimen belongs to the Continental dark form, Flammea flammea guttata, and that it is the first known instance of the visit of a bird of this race to Scotland. In England, where it is regarded as a rare immigrant, it has occurred in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Oxon, Norfolk, Yorkshire, and orthumberland.
The example recorded as having recently been obtained in Berkshire on 21st November 1915, from the description given of it, seems to be an intermediate form, and is not to be regarded as a full coloured characteristic example of the Continental dark-breasted race.
The Edinburgh Museum received a similar example, which had been captured in Cornwall on 20th September 1915. Both these birds were probably visitors from the opposite side of the Channel, where the light-breasted, dark-breasted, and intermediate forms are known to occur....
The Shetland specimen has the upper parts blue-grey, finely vermiculated with greyish white; and each feather having two spots of white towards the tip, one terminal and the other subterminal, and having a dark spot between them and a smaller one above. Facial disc silvery white tinged with orange and vinous brown in the centre, and has a dark vinous spot in front of the eyes; the rim of the disc golden buff, each feather with a dusky centre streak, and its lower third brownish orange. Under-parts warm orange-buff, with clearly defined small blackish spots on the abdomen and larger double spots on the flanks. Wings and tail with broad bars of dark vermiculated grey and orange brown.'
In an Editorial (1916) in British Birds, Vol. X. p. 47, they say: 'Mr. W. E. Clarke records (Scot. Nat., 1916, p. 76) that a specimen of Tyto a. guttata was obtained on Unst on November 5th, 1915. This appears to be the first authentic record of the occurrence of this race in Scotland.'
). 1915 Berkshire Coley Park Farm, near Reading, obtained, 20th November, now at Reading Museum.
(D. Seth-Smith, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 36: 43; H. M. Wallis, British Birds 9: 210-211; Swash, 1996).
History Seth-Smith (1915) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXVI. p. 43, at the 208th Meeting of the Club held on 8th December 1915 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. H. M. Wallis exhibited an (unsexed) specimen of the Central European Barn Owl (Flammea flammea guttata, B.O.U. List) which was killed at Coley Park Farm, near Reading, on November 20-21, by Mr. H. G. Leigh, and presented to Reading Borough Museum in the flesh. The specimen is somewhat lighter than the typical Barn Owl of Central Europe, but much darker than the ordinary British bird. Its primaries, crown, and nape are brownish grey. The grey of the mantle is deeper in tint and more extensive than is usual with a British Barn Owl, and its under surface, including the under wing-coverts, is washed with warm buff and spotted. The thighs are buffish, but devoid of spots. The discs around the eye are dusky white with inner rings of buff completely surrounding the eye. The mandibles are darker than those of Flammea flammea.'
H. M. Wallis (1916) in British Birds, Vol. IX. pp. 210-211, says: 'On November 21st, 1915, a specimen of the Central European Barn Owl (Flammea flammea guttata, Brit. Ornith. Union List, p. 128, Tyto alba guttata, Hand-List of British Birds, p. 109), was brought to Reading Museum in the flesh by Mr. Leigh, who had obtained it at Coley Park Farm, Reading. Though slightly lighter in colour than the typical German bird, it is very much darker than a normal British Barn Owl. The nape, crown and primaries are rich buff interfused with grey. The grey of the mantle is deeper and more extensive than in a British bird, and the white of the discs about the eyes is dusky, deepening to a brown ring around each eye. The entire under-surface is flushed with buff, extending beneath the wings, and there, as well as upon the breast, are the spots from which this species takes its name. The front of each thigh is washed with buff but unspotted. The mandible is horn-coloured, not white as in our home bird. Although the local taxidermist tells me he has not before handled so dark a bird, yet the five locally-killed Barn-Owls, which happened (sad to say) to be in his hands at the moment, presented an almost perfect gradation from the "White Owl", through an equally white form with spotted breast, and others with still more spots upon faintly, or more heavily-buffed undersides, to the bird I am recording.'
Swash (1996: 219) says: 'There is one in Reading Museum that was presented there on 21st November, 1915, which had been obtained at Coley Park.'
). 1925 Orkney Near Langskaill, Stromness, Mainland, obtained, February, now at Stromness Museum, Orkney.
(E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 55: 50; Eds., British Birds 29: 88; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Evelyn V. Baxter (1935) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LV. p. 50, says: 'When I visited Stromness Museum in 1927 there was there a specimen of the Dark-breasted Barn Owl (Tyto alba guttata) taken at Langskaill, near Stromness, in February 1925. As far as I know this occurrence has not previously been recorded.'
In an Editorial (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 88. they say: 'Miss E. V. Baxter has examined a specimen of this race of the Barn Owl (Tyto a. guttata) taken near Stromness in February, 1925, and now in the museum there (Scot. Nat., 1935, p. 50).
). 1927 Co. Durham Prior's Close Bog, Leamside, shot, 25th February, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
(Temperley, 1951).
History Temperley (1951) says: 'On February 25th, 1927, a Barn-owl was shot at Prior's Close Bog, Leamside, which had a rust-coloured facial disk, a dark speckled upper breast and an unusually grey crown and nape. It came into the possession of J. R. Crawford, who, in 1945, sent it up to the British Museum for identification. N. B. Kinnear stated that it is undoubtedly a specimen of the Dark-breasted sub-species. It is now in the Hancock Museum, where it may be compared with Hancock's specimen (see below), which it very closely resembles.'
). 1934 Fife Isle of May, adult female, caught, 19th December, died a few days later, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1935.2).
(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 55: 50; Eds., British Birds 29: 88; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; W. J. Eggeling, Scottish Birds 8: 109).
History H. F. D. Elder (1935) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LV. p. 50, says: 'On 19th December 1934 Mr. Leslie, one of the light keepers, caught an owl in his hen-house on the Isle of May. The bird died a few days later and was forwarded to me. It proved to be an adult female Dark-breasted Barn Owl (Tyto alba guttata). It is now in the collection of the Royal Scottish Museum. This species appears to have only once before been recorded in Scotland at Unst, Shetland, on 5th November 1915.'
In an Editorial (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 88. they say: '...Mr. H. F. D. Elder records (loc. cit.) that a Barn-Owl which was caught in a hen house on the Isle of May on December 19th, 1934, and later died and was sent to him, also proved to be of this race. This bird is now in the Royal Scottish Museum. There appears to be only one authentic previous record of the Dark-breasted form of the Barn-Owl from Scotland (Shetland, 1915).'
Rintoul & Baxter (1935) say: 'Mr Leslie caught one in his hen-house on the Isle of May on 19th December 1934. It died a few days later and was sent to Mr. Elder. It was an adult female and is now in the Royal Scottish Museum.'
). 1937 Kent Near Birchington, adult female, caught, 8th December.
(J. Harrison, British Birds 43: 54).
History J. Harrison (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 54, says: 'During a visit to Thanet in the autumn of 1947, I was enabled, through the kindness of Mrs. Powell-Cotton, to examine the small collection of locally-taken bird-skins in the above museum. These were made readily available to me by the present Curator, Mr. R. R. Barton, to whom I tender my best thanks. This collection, which was formed by the late Curator, Mr. G. F. Pinfold, quite as a subsidiary activity, is not without interest, as the birds are practically all from the immediate district of Quex Park. The skins are mostly well prepared and neatly and accurately labelled, and there are a few specimens in the collection which are worthy of special mention....An adult female Barn-Owl in the collection was caught in the gun-tower by the late Major Powell-Cotton on December 8th, 1937. This bird is an undoubted example of Tyto alba guttata. It has been compared with good series of Continental-taken females, many of which it surpasses in intensity of markings.'
0). 1954 Norfolk Horsey Hall, picked up dead, 10th November, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(G. Crees, British Birds 48: 178-179; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1954: 36).
History G. Crees (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 178-179, says: 'On 10th November 1954 a Dark-breasted Barn Owl (Tyto alba guttata) was picked up dead under some sheds at Horsey Hall in Norfolk. There had been a strong- northerly gale blowing for several days and we presumed the bird was too weak on its arrival to hunt for food, and thus died from exhaustion. Mr. E. A. Ellis, at the Castle Museum, Norwich, to whom it was sent by Major Anthony Buxton, said that although its plumage was in good condition, very large numbers of feather-lice were present on the bird's head.'
NOT PROVEN
0). 1843 Essex/Greater London Epping, shot, March.
(H. Doubleday MS., Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007; Self, 2014).
[BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 188].
History Christy (1890: 155) says: 'Henry Doubleday, on March 23rd, 1843, says: 'A short time since a person here [Epping] shot a common Barn Owl with the whole of the under parts, legs, &c., of a deep ochre-yellow, with a few black spots. The face alone was white.'
Glegg (1929) places the species in square brackets, but subsequent authors of the Birds of Essex have all accepted the record. Not accepted nationally (BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 188).
Comment Doubleday's MS. consisted of one hundred letters chiefly about birds and insects that were written to the late T. C. Heysham, of Carlisle, between 30th August 1831 and 9th February 1846. Not acceptable.
0). 1864 Essex/Greater London Epping, female, killed, December.
(H. Doubleday, Zoologist 1866: 522; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Self, 2014).
[BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 188].
History Henry Doubleday of Epping (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 522, dated 15th October, 1866, says: 'In December, 1864, a specimen of the Barn Owl (Strix flammea) was killed near this place, with the whole under parts tawny-yellow, spotted with black. The upper parts were more mottled with grey than usual; it was a large bird, and a female.'
Comment Not accepted nationally (BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 188). It would possibly pre-date the first record.
0). 1878 Norfolk/Suffolk Near Great Yarmouth, shot, 2nd September.
(T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1880: 49-50; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).
History T. E. Gunn (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. pp. 49-50, says: 'Mr. W. W. Spelman, of Yarmouth, when out shooting in that neighbourhood on September 2nd [1878], killed a Barn Owl with unusually dark plumage; the whole of the breast, abdomen, and under parts being of a uniform deep buff colour.'
Ticehurst (1932: 203) says: 'The following no doubt belong to this race: - Near Yarmouth, 2nd September 1878.'
0). 1880 At sea Sea area Thames, off Suffolk, October.
(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).
History Ticehurst (1932: 203) says: 'The following no doubt belong to this race: - At sea off the coast, October 1880.'
0). 1883 Norfolk Near Norwich, female, killed, 13th November.
(Riviere, 1930).
History Riviere (1930) says: 'A female killed near Norwich on 13th November 1883.'
0). 1885 Kent Tongue Lightship, seen, 20th October.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953) stated that one was flying west past the Tongue Lightship on 20th October 1885 at 8 a.m.
0). 1886 Suffolk Off Lowestoft, 23rd September.
(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).
History Ticehurst (1932: 203) says: 'The following no doubt belong to this race: - At sea off Lowestoft, 23rd September 1886.'
0). 1886 Norfolk Harford Bridges, near Norwich, adult female, shot, 29th October.
(T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1887: 415; Riviere, 1930).
History T. E. Gunn (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. p. 415, says: 'An adult female Barn Owl with the breast of a deep buff colour was shot Oct. 29th near Harford Bridges, Old Lakenham, and sent to me. I have on several previous occasions received examples of this variety, and generally at the period of autumn migration. The chief marks of distinction in the sexes are the spotted flank feathers of the female, those of the male being quite plain....The stomach of the specimen noted contained the remains of a common brown rat.'
0). 1886 North-east Scotland Near New Deer, obtained, 6th November.
(G. Sim, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1898: 50; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History George Sim of Aberdeen (1898) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 50, says: '...This is the second occurrence of this race known to have occurred in the "Dee" area, the first being one killed near New Deer in 1886.'
Sim (1903) says: 'Two "Danish form", one got near New Deer on 6th November, 1886.'
Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) listed this record under "Other Barn Owls with dark breasts".
0). 1887 Kent East Goodwin Lightship, seen, 30th October.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953) states this bird flew ESE to WNW of the East Goodwin Lightship at noon on the 30th October 1887.
0). 1888 Norfolk No locality, shot, early July.
(M. Pycroft, Field 28th Jul., 1888: 125-126).
[KAN].
History M. Pycroft of Great Yarmouth (1888) in The Field of 28th July, Vol. LXXII. pp. 125-126, says: 'On July 11 last I received for preservation one of the dark-breasted forms of the common Barn Owl. The whole of the under parts were of a dark fawn colour, with the exception of a few white feathers at the base of the bill, the lower parts of the tarsus, and the under surface of the tail. Feathers of the upper breast marked with black spots, lower parts with larger spots, and the addition of white shafts to the feathers. The upper parts of this bird were also abnormally dark; the top of the head, neck, and back being dark grey; speckled black and white, the only trace of buff being round the facial disc, and a few feathers at the sides of the neck; wings much darker than usual; the buff colour, where present, very dark.'
[We are not at all surprised to hear of this dark variety on the east coast. It is a well-recognised Scandinavian form which occasionally visits us. - Ed.]
Comment Due to not knowing if the bird was even obtained in this country it is a worthless record. Not acceptable.
0). 1896 Lothian Edinburgh, caught, 11th April.
(Kirke Nash, 1935; Witherby et al., 1940-52).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].
History Nashe (1935) gives the following note by Mr W. Evans: "1896, April 11th - Mr Knight, bird-stuffer, Rose Street Lane, has an example of the dark form in just now, which was captured in a garden on the north side of Edinburgh".
Witherby et al. (1940-52) included this as a probable, while, Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) say: 'Other Barn Owls with dark breasts have been recorded as follows: William Evans reported one of the dark form, caught in a garden in Edinburgh, in April, 1896.'
0). 1897 North-east Scotland Port Lethen, Kincardineshire, female, obtained, 23rd November.
(G. Sim, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1898: 50; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History George Sim of Aberdeen (1898) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 50, says: 'A female of this form of Strix flammea was killed at Portlethen on 23rd November last, and was sent to me for preservation. The chief difference in this variety - which appears to be the dominant form in Denmark - is, that its breast and lower parts are reddish orange instead of the pure white of the typical bird. This is the second occurrence of this race known to have occurred in the "Dee" area, the first being one killed near New Deer in 1886.'
Sim (1903) says: '...another [Danish form] on 23rd November, 1897, at Port Lethen.'
Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) listed this record under "Other Barn Owls with dark breasts".
0). 1898 Suffolk Lowestoft, 24th February.
(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).
History Ticehurst (1932: 203) says: 'The following no doubt belong to this race: - Lowestoft, 24th February 1898, and was examined by me.'
0). 1899 Sussex Batworth Park, caught, 4th May.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 233) says: 'On May 4th, 1899, a dark Barn Owl was caught in Batworth Park, as I was informed by the taxidermist of Arundel.'
0). 1900 Suffolk Lowestoft, shot, 10th November.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1901: 136; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1901: 136, says: 'November 10th. W.S.W. A Barn Owl of the fulvous type shot at Lowestoft (H. Bunn). Fulvous examples are generally supposed to be of foreign origin, and the high wind from S.W. last night may have brought it over. This Scandinavian race was first recognized in England in 1864 by the late Henry Stevenson.'
Ticehurst (1932: 203) says: 'The following no doubt belong to this race: - Lowestoft, 10th November 1900.'
0). 1903 Dumfries & Galloway Lochanhead Station, male, found dead, 14th March.
(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].
History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) say: 'Other Barn Owls with dark breasts have been recorded as follows: On 14th March, 1903 "a male dark phase" was found under the telegraph wires at Lochanhead Station, Solway.'
0). 1905 Surrey Newdigate, caught, 15th November.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938; Wheatley, 2007).
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 234) says: 'A dark Barn Owl, captured at Newdigate on November 15th, 1905, was set-up by Mr. Hoad, of Horsham.'
Further, p. 361, under 'Addendum' he adds: 'Most stupidly I included a specimen from Newdigate, which is in Surrey.'
Comment I find Newdigate to be in Surrey also.
0). 1908 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, two, killed, September.
(Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930).
History Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds', says: '2 taken September 1908.'
0). 1908 Gwent Near Blaenavon, Monmouthshire, shot, undated, now at Newport Museum.
(R. C. Banks, British Birds 22: 161-162; Ingram & Salmon, 1937; Humphreys, 1963; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).
History R. C. Banks (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 161-162, says: 'There is a collection of mounted birds in the Newport Museum and Art Gallery, made by the late Mr. Percy Laybourne, a solicitor of this town. In this collection is a specimen of the Dark-breasted Barn-Owl (Tyto alba guttata) which is not recorded in the Practical Handbook of British Birds. Mr. Laybourne told me the bird had been shot on the mountain side between Blaenavon and Abersychan, and was received by him in the flesh, and that he submitted it to the late Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, but whether in the flesh or not I am not quite sure. To guard against any error in the identification, Messrs. Geoffrey C. S. Ingram and H. M. Salmon, of Cardiff, have examined the bird with me, and Mr. W. A. Gunn, the curator of the Museum, who has kindly given us every assistance. We have compared the bird with the description of alba and guttata in the Handbook, and are all agreed that it is guttata. The back of the bird is so dark that practically no trace of golden-buff is visible; the breast and under-parts are of deep buff spotted all over with large, dark, almost black spots; mesial streaks are present on flanks; the facial disks are reddish-rust colour practically all over; the tail and wing feathers are very dark with strong bars. Mr. Gunn found a small slip of paper in the case marked "Blaenavon 1908", and he gives me the permission of the Committee of the Museum to publish this notice. No sex was indicated on the label.'
Humphreys (1963: 19) adds: 'Presented to the Newport Museum (R. C. Banks) but cannot now be found there.'
0). 1915 Norfolk Potter Heigham, February.
(Riviere, 1930).
History Riviere (1930) says: 'One at Potter Heigham in February 1915, was examined by Dr. C. B. Ticehurst (C.B.T. in litt.).'
0). 1915 Norfolk Bayfield, obtained, 6th April.
(Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930).
History Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds' says: '1 at Bayfield, April 6th, 1915.'
0). 1916 Dumfries & Galloway Corsemalzie, Wigtownshire, 30th January to 1st February.
(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].
History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) say: 'Other Barn Owls with dark breasts have been recorded as follows: One with a dark breast was seen at Corsemalzie on 30th January and 1st February, 1916.'
0). 1919 Kent Wittersham, found dead, 12th December.
(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 13: 275; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 3: 128).
History N. F. Ticehurst (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 275, says: 'On December 12th, 1919, Mr. E. Catt, of Iden, received a bird of this form (Tyto a. guttata) that had been found dead in a barn at Wittersham. Suspecting its identity he kindly sent it to me after he had stuffed it. I was able to compare it with an unusually dark bird of the white-breasted race. It was conspicuously darker, especially on the flanks and round the outer side of the orbital rings, also both in the ground colour and grey mottlings of the upper-parts, while the grey bars on the tail and the spots on the inner webs of the primaries were replaced with black.'
0). 1921 Sussex Townsend Farm, St Margarets-at-Cliff, male, picked up dead, December or January 1922.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953) states that a specimen was picked up dead in the old Tithe Barn of Townsend Farm at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe either in December 1921 or January 1922. It was set up by a Dover taxidermist and proved to be a male. T. C. Gregory owned it for some time but disposed of it in 1928. The bird stuffer remarking that he had never before seen a "blue owl". (T. C. Gregory in litt.).
0). 1922 Sussex Ford, seen, 13th April.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 234) says: 'On April 13th, 1922, I myself enjoyed a long and close view of one of these Owls at Ford.'
0). 1924 Sussex Near Firle, near Lewes, seen, 9th May.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 234) says: '… Whilst two years later, on May 9th, Dr. C. H. Bryant identified another in a "lodge" on the hills above Firle.'
0). 1925 Leicestershire & Rutland Near Tinwell, Rutland, seen, 26th December.
(E. St. George Betts, British Birds 21: 261).
History E. St. George Betts (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 261, says: 'A brief note upon a Dark-breasted Barn-Owl (Tyto alba guttata) seen by me on December 26th, 1925, may be of interest. On that day, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I watched one of these birds under excellent conditions quartering the grass fields close to the confluence of the small river Chater with the Welland, near to the village of Tinwell, and unaffected, apparently, by the broad daylight. Viewed from a short distance, the bird's breast appeared to be of a uniform dark buff hue, and I may add that this pronounced colour was evenly distributed, and, to the best of my judgement, as deep as that of an authentic preserved example of this form of Barn-Owl in the Birmingham Museum. The latter specimen was originally in the Chase collection and was shot by Mr. Field, of Lyndon House, Olton, Warwickshire, on February 6th, 1886.'
0). 1928 Orkney Near Kirkwall, Mainland, undated.
(Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].
History Baxter & Rintoul (1953) (1): 282) say: 'One got near Kirkwall in 1928 appears to have been of this race.'
Groundwater (1974) says: 'One got near Kirkwall in 1928 (Baxter & Rintoul).'
0). 1935 Sussex Near Ashcombe, Lewes, seen, 29th April.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 234) says: 'Near Ashcombe, by Lewes, on April 29th, 1935, I was again in luck's way, obtaining, as I did, a perfect sight of a guttata. This bird was all-grey above and very dark; almost vivid orange below.'
0). 1937 Clyde Bothwell, Lanarkshire, seen, 28th March.
(W. Stewart, Scottish Naturalist 58: 8).
[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].
History W. Stewart (1938) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVIII. p. 8, says: 'On 28th March I had the good fortune to surprise a dark-breasted barn owl which sat blinking at me at close quarters before taking wing. I marked it down some distance up the glen and again flushed it, and came to the conclusion that its wing-spread was slightly greater than the white-breasted species, but of this one can't be quite sure. When flying away it looked quite a dull grey, and when sitting the rufous yellow of the upperparts as seen in the white-breasted species, was entirely replaced with dull grey. The breast and underparts were yellowish mixed with grey, while the face was less white than in the common species.'
Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) say: 'Other Barn Owls with dark breasts have been recorded as follows: W. Stewart records having seen a Barn Owl with grey upper parts and a dark breast at Bothwell, Lanark on 28th March 1937.'
0). 1938 Sussex Seaford Head, seen, 6th March.
(des Forges & Harber, 1963).
History des Forges & Harber (1963) say: 'One was seen at Seaford Head on 6th March 1938.'
0). 1938 Kent/Sussex The Midrips/Wicks area, two, seen, 3rd December to 5th January 1939 one remaining to 18th February 1939.
(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 32: 273-274; R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1938: 50; R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1939: 19; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
History N. F. Ticehurst (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. pp. 273-274, says: 'On December 3rd, 1938, I watched two Dark-breasted Barn Owls (Tyto a. guttata) at the Wicks on the Kent-Sussex boundary. They were hunting an area of rough grass, beating up and down at a height of ten or fifteen feet and frequently dropping to the ground, exactly as the Short-eared Owl (Strix f. flammea) hunts. One of them hunted up to within thirty yards of me and with the sun full upon it I could clearly see the dark, almost rusty, buff underparts, the darker speckling of the grey head and back, with an almost entire absence of yellow, and the darker brown barring of the wing feathers, as compared with the typical race. When the bird lowered its legs to settle, the feathering on them appeared to be much the same buff colour as that of a Short-eared Owl. The second bird, though only seen at a greater distance was clearly not such a dark one, the under surface being a more pure buff, without any rusty tint.'
R. Whitlock (1938) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, Vol. V. p. 50, says: 'Two were seen near Dungeness on Dec. 3rd. The darker of the two only was seen again on Dec. 11th and 28th, but probably both remained until the end of the year. (N.F.T., R.N.T. & C.S.).'
R. Whitlock (1939) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, Vol. VI. p. 19, says: 'One at the Midrips Jan. 2nd (E.M.C.) and again Jan. 5th (H.R.A.). One or other seen up to Feb. 18th (N.F.T.).'
Comment The Midrips is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5).
0). 1939 Kent Near Sevenoaks, killed, 7th September.
(E. M. Cawkell, South-Eastern Bird Report 1939: 22).
[KAN].
History E. M. Cawkell (1939) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, p. 22, says: 'On Sept., 7th what was described as a "blue" Barn Owl was killed near Sevenoaks. My informant, who is thoroughly acquainted with the white-breasted bird, tells me that there was no white on it at all. Being away from home at the time the bird was unfortunately allowed to perish and was destroyed. From the description there would seem little doubt that it was in fact a Dark-breasted Barn Owl and a male at that (J.M.H.).'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1943 Fair Isle No locality, seen, October to November.
(G. Waterston, British Birds 38: 230; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Williamson, 1965).
History G. Waterston (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 228, under the title 'Notes from Fair Isle, 1939-45, says: 'Dark-breasted Barn Owl - One in October-November, 1943. First record for Fair Isle. G.S.'
P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) states that one reported to be of the Dark-breasted form T. a. guttata present October-November 1943.
Comment G.S. = George Stout, an islander.
0). 1944 Devon Ottery St Mary, seen, 8th October.
(E. H. Ware, British Birds 38: 175; F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1944: 37; Moore, 1969).
[Tyler, 2010].
History E. H. Ware (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 175, says: 'While cycling in a lane near Ottery St Mary, Devon, at 9.15 am on 8th October 1944, I noticed a Barn Owl coming towards me over the adjoining field, and was at once struck by its unusually dark colour. A moment or two afterwards it topped the hedge and flew directly overhead some 15 feet up, and I was astonished to see that there was no white on its under-parts, all, including the under wing-surfaces, being a light shade of brown, and not so very light at that. Nor did the facial discs show up white, but appeared to be also of a brownish shade. The bird dropped over the opposite hedge, and was seen hawking over the fields for a time before passing out of sight. My view of the bird as it passed over me, though brief, was a very good one, as the light was ideal, sun behind very light cloud. Unfortunately, I was too obsessed with noting the area of brown under-parts to notice if the breast was spotted, and by the time the bird was far enough away for me to see its upper-parts it was too far to be sure of their colour, as I was without glasses.
I may say that I know the Barn Owl well, as it is still common hereabouts and often to be seen in daylight, both in the morning and just before dusk, but I have never previously seen one brown-breasted like this. Its appearance agreed closely with that of the dark-breasted form T. a. guttata, which according to The Handbook has not previously been recorded in Devon.'
[Unless it was supposed to have been an aberration of the white-breasted form of an unrecorded kind, there seems no reasonable doubt that this is an example of the dark continental race. It is a pity that Mr. Ware was not able to make sure of the colour of the upper-parts, but the fact that the whole bird appeared dark as it approached him supports the above conclusion. - Eds., B.W.T.]
Not accepted locally (Tyler 2010).
0). 1944 Yorkshire Goathland, seen, 14th October.
(R. Chislett, Naturalist 70: 62; W. S. Medlicott, British Birds 38: 175-176; Mather, 1986).
History R. Chislett (1945) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXX. p. 62, says: 'On October 14th I watched a Barn Owl for five minutes or more flying close round me hunting for mice and sitting on the ground facing me less than ten yards away. It did not appear to me to be quite usual, not yellow enough, and greyer on upper parts, breast decidedly apricot! I have not seen a Barn Owl immediately here within a mile in twenty years. I looked for it again several evenings after without success. Altogether it appeared to me much darker than alba. It was quite daylight. Was it possibly an immigrant, passing, Dark-breasted Barn Owl ?
This extract from Captain Medlicott’s notes, coming from such a careful and experienced observer, leaves no room for doubt; a conclusion with which the Editor of British Birds agrees. The species appears to have only once been recorded in Yorkshire before.'
W. S. Medlicott (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. pp. 175-176, says: 'On 14th October 1944, at Goathland, Yorkshire, I was hidden under a bush at 5 pm, waiting to shoot Wood Pigeons Columba palumbus, when a Barn Owl came flopping over the hedge about 5 yards from me. It did not see me and for two minutes or so it played around within 50 yards of me, looking for mice on the grassy bank on which I was. During this time I noticed that it was greyer above than is usual in Barn Owls in England, with hardly any buff or yellow on the upper-parts. After a few minutes it came back and stayed hunting on the bank for five minutes, hovering and pouncing, at times within 4 or 5 yards of me, and once sitting upright on a tuft of grass facing me for a minute, 10 yards off: its breast was apricot-coloured. I did not particularly notice the facial discs, nor do I remember any obvious spotting on the breast, the characters already described being what struck me particularly. I think this bird may have been T. a. guttata. This is the first time I have seen a Barn Owl in my immediate area, though one nests about a mile and a half away.'
[Unless it was supposed to have been an aberration of the white-breasted form of an unrecorded kind, there seems no reasonable doubt that this is an example of the dark continental race. - Eds., B.W.T.]
0). 1944 Orkney North Ronaldsay, found dead, 2nd November.
(Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).
History Groundwater (1974) says: 'There are, however, a few definite records of the Dark-breasted European type: one found dead in the mill in North Ronaldsay on 2 November 1944 (Island Saga).'
Comment Island Saga was by Mary Scott in 1968.
0). 1945 Shetland Kergord, Mainland, four: two, 1st December, four, 9th December, one, 15th December.
(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955; Johnston, 1999; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 282) say: 'Up to four at Kergord in December 1945.'
Venables & Venables (1955) under 'Dark-breasted Barn Owl, say: 'On three consecutive visits to Kergord Plantation in 1945 we saw this form on 1st December (two), 9th December (four) and 15th December (one).'
0). 1945-46 Shetland Scousburgh, Mainland, killed by cat, winter.
(Venables & Venables, 1955; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Venables & Venables (1955) under 'Dark-breasted Barn Owl, say: 'T. Henderson tells us that one was killed by a cat among farm buildings at Scousburgh during the same winter.'
0). 1946 Kent Between Lydd and Galloways, seen, 20th January.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953) states that Dr. Arnold McMillan and Dr. H. N. Joy saw what both agreed was a Dark-breasted Barn Owl on 20th January 1946 between Lydd and Galloways.
0). 1948 Devon Teign Estuary, seen, 24th January.
(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1948: 30; Moore, 1969).
[Tyler, 2010].
History M. Brooks-King (1948) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXI. p. 30, says: 'Teign Estuary. January 24th, one flushed from the marshes. In flight showed no white on the under-parts, under-sides of wings, and facial discs: these appeared to be medium brown in colour. Mr. W. B. Tucker, to whom the occurrence was submitted, wrote: I think this was probably one of the dark-breasted form. I know of no evidence that the ordinary form ever has brown under-parts. The dark-breasted one is usually much greyer above, as well as browner below, and I note that your bird appeared normal above, but some birds of dark-breasted race are like that. One would like to have the combination of both characters to establish a reasonably certain record, as one can perhaps hardly assert dogmatically that birds of our race never have brown under-parts even as an aberration...I have little doubt that your bird was a migrant. (G.H.G.).'
Not accepted locally (Tyler 2010).
0). 1948 Sussex The Midrips, seen, 29th March.
(Harrison, 1953).
History Harrison (1953) states that on 29th March 1948 Mr. W. S. Nevin watched one at the Midrips (in litt.).
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). 1949 Devon Near Newton Ferrers, seen, 25th September.
(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1949: 30; O. D. Hunt, British Birds 43: 225-226; Moore, 1969).
[Tyler, 2010].
History M. Brooks-King (1949) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXII. p. 30, says: 'Newton Ferrers, September 25th, one sitting in road examined at close quarters in beam of car headlights. Breast and facial disc dark tawny, upper-parts with much dark grey; when finally flushed showed no white in flight. (O. D. Hunt).' O. D. Hunt (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. pp. 225-226, says: 'At about 21.30 G.M.T. on September 25th, 1949, while driving home from Plymouth and about two miles from Newton Ferrers, I saw an owl standing in the road in the centre of the traffic lane on my right. As seen in the car headlights it appeared dark in colour and at long range both my son and I took it for a Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), but on nearer view the shape and facial discs of a Barn-Owl (Tyto alba) were unmistakable. It was facing our approach and the under-parts were clearly visible. They showed no white at all, being tawny in colour. Only part of the back and wings could be seen and these were darker and greyer than the under-parts so far as could then be distinguished.
The bird scarcely moved as we passed, which led me to think it might be injured, and my interest being now thoroughly aroused by its dark coloration, I stopped and turned the car and drove back some 200 to 300 yards to find the owl still there and right in my path, in the same pose as when first seen save that it had turned its head to look over its back at this new approach.
I stopped the car with the headlights full on the bird at very close range - not more than a dozen paces. Its back and wings were now in full view and were mottled tawny and grey, very much more grey than any Barn-Owl I have previously seen. The facial discs were tawny, not white, though noticeably paler towards the outer rims. It still made no attempt to fly, so I got out to investigate, but as I opened the door it rose and flew off leisurely, well lit by the headlights and showing no white plumage at all in night. I have seen a great many British Barn-Owls and have reared and kept them, as well as Tawny Owls, in confinement, so I can claim familiarity with the species. I have never seen any which approached in darkness of coloration the bird described above, which resembled quite well, being if anything darker than, the Dark-breasted, continental form described and figured in The Handbook as Tyto alba guttata.'
Not accepted locally (Tyler 2010).
0). 1949 Essex Abberton Reservoir, 2nd December.
(South Essex Naturalist 1: 5; Hudson & Pyman, 1968).
History Hudson & Pyman (1968) listed five acceptable records from Essex: ...one, Abberton, 2nd December 1949 (South Essex Naturalist 1: 5).
0). 1950 Cornwall Marazion Marsh, 28th January.
(B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1950: 18).
[B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1950: 18].
History B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick (1950) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XX. p.18, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'On January 28th, at Marazion Marsh, a brown-plumaged Owl appeared and quartered the marsh towards me; as both its upper parts and breast were darkish brown, I thought it was a Short-eared Owl. When it approached closer I was surprised to see that it was, in fact, a Barn Owl. (M.R. per A.G.P.).'
0). 1952 Kent Stodmarsh, 13th January.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1952: 17).
History E. H. Gillham (1952) in the Kent Bird Report, p. 17, says: 'A bird of the Dark-breasted race (Tyto a. guttata) was seen in flight and at rest on a post at 10-12 yards range at Stodmarsh on Jan. 13 (many observers).'
0). 1953 Suffolk Minsmere, 3rd April.
(P. R. Westall, Suffolk Bird Report 1953: 214; Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).
History P. R. Westall (1953) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 214, says: 'One, believed to be of dark-breasted form, at Minsmere, April 3rd (F.K.C., P.R.W.).'
Payn (1978) says: 'A bird, thought to be of this race was seen by F. K. Cobb and P. R. Westall at Minsmere on 3 April 1953 (SBR).'
0). 1953 Kent Dungeness, 10th April.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1953: 24).
[Eds., British Birds 49: 364].
History E. H. Gillham (1953) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. II. p. 24, says: 'A bird of the Dark-breasted race (Tyto a. guttata) was seen at Dungeness on April 10 by P.leB. Full details have been received.'
Comment The Editors of British Birds say that without a description the record is unacceptable.
0). 1955 Kent Allhallows, male, 29th October.
(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1955: 20).
History E. H. Gillham (1955) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 20, says: 'A male of this race (Tyto a. guttata) was seen well at Allhallows on Oct. 29 (W.G.J.). Satisfactory details have been received.'
0). 1957 Cleveland/Co. Durham Hartlepool Docks, found dead, autumn.
(Bowey & Newsome, 2012).
History Bowey & Newsome (2012) say: 'Found dead at Hartlepool Docks in autumn 1957.'
