Velduil Asio flammeus trotseert Havik Accipiter gentilis

On 31 May 2015, a Short-eared Owl was recorded sitting in scrub in the dunes of Meijendel, western Netherlands. This bird was approached by an adult female Goshawk, upon which the owl fluffed its feathers without taking flight. The Goshawk disappeared but shortly afterwards returned and made several diving attempts before landing within 20 cm of the owl. The latter, apart from fluffing its feathers and turning its head to follow the antics of the Goshawk, did not move. The Goshawk remained some 20 sec next to the owl, then departed and, after circling overhead a few times, again disappeared not to return. The owl departed after several minutes. On the site waarneming.nl 27 interactions between Short-eared Owls and Goshawks were available: 7x an owl pluck (of Goshawk), 2x killing by a Goshawk (including once by falconer’s Goshawk), 4x neutral interaction, 9x agonistic behaviour of Goshawk towards owl and 5x agonistic behaviour the other way round.