New photo Take time to listen out for the `twit-twoo´ of tawny...

A UK-wide appeal has been launched for volunteers to listen out for tawny owls hooting at night.

They are thought to have declined by up to a third over the over the last few decades.

The birds have been added to an ‘amber’ list of conservation concern.

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Tawny owl numbers are thought to have declined over the last few decades and they have recently been added to the 'amber' list of birds of conservation concern

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is hoping for a total of 10,000 volunteers across the UK.

They are being asked to spend 20 minutes on one evening a week listening out in parks, gardens and woods for the distinctive ‘hoot’ calls of the males and the ‘kee-wick’ of the females.

The familiar ‘twit-twoo’ sound is actually a duet, a male and female owl responding to each other.

Volunteers don’t even have to leave their homes if they don’t want to.

With their windows open, they can listen out for 20 minutes at any time in their gardens.

Even if people do not hear an owl, the researchers say that is still important information, as it indicates where the species is missing.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT TAWNY OWLS? 

Tawny owls feature in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels as messengers - one delivers Harry’s first invite to Hogwarts The characteristic ‘twit-twooo’ of the tawny owl is actually a courtship duet between male and female.

The night vision of owls is not much better than a human - although their hearing is around ten times more sensitive and they rely on this to hunt prey such as mice.

Despite having a reputation as being ‘wise’ they are considered less intelligent than crows and parrots.

Male and female tawny owl pairs often stay together for life.

The inedible fur and bones left-over from the tawny owl’s diet of small mammals are regurgitated as ‘owl pellets’.

Tawny owls are famous for the fierce defence of their young: bird ringers usually wear crash helmets with visors to protect themselves when ringing baby tawnies.

Like almost all owls, the wings of a tawny owl are completely silent.

Tawny owls are not found in Ireland - although their ‘twit twoo’ calls are sometimes used in Irish TV dramas and films to capture the essence of night.

Nearly 6,000 volunteers have already reported what they have heard as but BTO would like another 4,000 to take part in the citizen science research.

Claire Boothby, tawny owl calling survey organiser at the BTO, said, ‘Getting involved couldn’t be simpler - just wrap up warm and give yourself 20 minutes to listen for the haunting calls of tawny owls between now and the end of March.

‘You can listen from your garden, local wood or park, or even from the comfort of the sofa with your window open, and tell us whether or not you hear an owl.

‘Don’t worry if you don’t hear one in your 20 minutes - that record is just as valuable and you’ll become one of our ‘zero heroes’.

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News Pictures Take time to listen out for the `twit-twoo´ of tawny...

You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!

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