Capture a winter owl

Don't let snowy conditions put you off. Here's how to capture these magnificent birds

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Just because the icy grip of winter has arrived, it doesn't mean that the nation's 10th favourite bird (that's the owl, according to an unscientific poll by the RSPB) heads for warmer climes. Far from it, the owl is ideally suited to winter weather, including snow, thanks to its downy feathers trapping heat close to the body. Barn owls are the exception to this, as they originally evolved in warmer countries, so they have poor insulation and need extra energy from food during the cold weather. However, all owls have superb hearing, thanks to their asymmetrical ears, and can locate prey scurrying about under the snow.

Five steps to capturing owls, even in the snow

1 Get into place