Apologies for the late contribution to this thread, I've just found it.
At this time of year, the young of both Tawny and Little Owls are moving out of their home areas and establishing winter territories. They are very vocal when doing this, and are often heard at odd times of the day/night. So your birds could be either species, but from your description, probably Tawny.
Nice story about the Short-eared Owl, I'd love to find one in my greenhouse, if I had a greenhouse.
Mark

In article , Bob Hobden
writes
http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?gen...o&species=bubo

Quite a distinctive two tone call, not that I've heard it in the wild.



Who were the people in the background? It sounded like it was being
prompted
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk