Tour organiser - Aleksey Levashkin
VK: nestboxer
Instagram: / alekseylevashkin
Owl Tour group: nestory...
On day two we visited two ural owl nests, where six owlets have been ringed. The first nest had a kind female, who only slashed Aleksey once across the back with all eight of its claws, considering that enough. That female raised four fluffy silly buns.
The female in the second nest was vicious and tried to tear Aleksey's head off with determination and no compromises, protecting her two chicks. I took the yolkless egg home without any incidents. It's now sitting here, and I don't know what to do with it.
The slugs got home safely too and are now sitting in their container, chewing mushrooms, so it's all good.
The Owl Tours take place every spring throughout May. In June the Marmot Tours begin, where, besides marmots, you see owls too. Anyone can take part in those tours, and the only restrictions are age and the amount of energy. We look for scops owls at night, and to find great grey owls you sometimes have to walk for two or more hours, which can be too much for children.
Another thing to keep in mind: you might get carsick. We travel by SUVs (UAZ 2206, UAZ 469, GAZ Sobol) across very uneven terrain. It's a bumpy trip, and not every vestibular system can handle it. Plus, you have to take precautions against bad weather conditions.
I've been on these tours in cold, hot and wet weather. We always found owls. I just made sure to always check the weather forecast before heading out and took the necessary clothing with me. It's always better to take more than to take less, as the backpack can be left in the car, and you don't have to carry it around with you.