Tawny Owl (Farthing Wood)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 In the Grip of Winter 
 Fox's Feud
 The Siege of White Deer Park
 In the Path of the Storm
 Battle for the Park

Tawny Owl is a fictional character in The Animals of Farthing Wood and its many sequels, written by Colin Dann. Tawny Owl (referred to as just "Owl") also appeared in the animated children's television series of the same name based upon the books.

[edit] TV Series

Owl was voiced by Sally Grace.

[edit] Season 1

Owl often acts pompous and haughty and is highly critical of the other animals. She is especially critical of Fox as a leader, perhaps because of her affront at not being elected leader herself. She is also negative about Toad's ability, particularly after the animals are led astray by his homing instinct. When the animals encounter a Motorway, Owl remarks that "this is what comes of putting your trust in a toad" (Between Two Evils). Later, she appears very heartless in her comment to Adder, telling her that "those cowering Hedgehogs just curled up and died". In the town, Owl chooses to take refuge in a church tower rather than help the other animals, but while commenting on the wisdom of detachment, the church bells sound and she is deafened. As a result, she is unhelpful for the rest of the episode, because she is unable to hear anything the other animals are saying.

Despite her attitude, she is a valuable asset to them during the journey to White Deer Park, often scouting ahead for the party with Kestrel. She is probably the most intelligent creature amongst the Farthing Wood animals, often speaking in proverbs and being relied upon by the group when they are in need of a plan.

Owl also seems to develop a friendship with Adder, after the incident at the farm. They go hunting together and often share opinions on situations, though these conversations take place out of the other animals' hearing. For example, they are both negative about Badger's leadership after Fox's disappearance at the river, and agree Whistler and Toad are showing off in Whistler's Quarry.

[edit] Season 2

On arriving at White Deer Park, Owl is quick to point out that the Oath cannot extend to the Edible Frogs, who are threatened by Adder, and she finds amusement in Kestrel's grief after eating Mrs Fieldmouse. She is once again disappointed when the animals vote to seek Fox out rather than listening to her council. After the larger animals predict a harsh winter, Owl is insistent that they should not go against nature by protecting the vulnerable. She claims it will only result in death for everyone. This view does not prevent her from accepting food from Whistler during the harsh winter. When Badger disappears, she joins in the search but soon concludes that he has died.

When Mother Vole vanishes, Owl points out that Mother Vole should have been safe, but plants the idea that Fox might have done it. This is quickly taken up by Mr Vole and Mr Fieldmouse, although Owl makes them question the evidence that it was Fox. She points out that they did not see him do it. When it is revealed that Scarface was the culprit, Owl insists Fox must do something about the blue fox.

When Badger returns from the Warden's house, Owl ridicules his suggestion that they all go to live there. She then unsympathetically states that he is a natural loner and has "returned to type". After this, when Badger suggests scavenging for food outside the park, Owl again acts as a scout. She is also the one who sees The Warden been carried out to an ambulance in New Enemies and is seen again later in this episode, air lifting carrots into the Park for the other animals to eat. Although Whistler is seen as necessary when choosing sentries for the poachers, Owl points out that Speedy must be kept away because she is too loud. Owl herself keeps watch, but when Hare and Kestrel tell her the poachers are coming, she is reluctant to believe them and has to be reminded to fly to warn Fox.

When, Fox finally calls a halt to the emergency raids on the farm, as he realizes everyone can now fend for themselves, the other animals forget to inform Owl. She continues to go in search of food. Speedy suggests Whistler and Kestrel do not tell Owl that the emergency raids have been stopped, in response to Owl's "mean and "self-righteous" attitude. They decide to do just this, as a joke. Eventually, Badger questions why she is continuing to bring food and tells her the raids had been canceled. She is very upset at not being told and moans that no one is keeping the oath any more. As a result, she feels unable to tell Fox about the return of the poachers. When a blue fox is killed she mistakenly believes Fox has been shot and regrets her decision, becoming very upset. Kestrel finally finds her and takes pity on her, revealing that Fox had not been killed and staying to comfort the weeping Owl.

[edit] Season 3

In Season Three Owl decides to leave White Deer Park and go in search of a mate after Weasel ridicules her for not having one. Owl is irritated by Weasel because she is expecting young and to Owl, more weasels mean twice the fuss and bother. Weasel takes exception to this and insults Owl by saying that at least she has a mate and also adds that everyone else has one, everyone except her! As Weasel continues to ridicule Owl for not having a mate, with the other animals joining in and laughing at her, Owl flies off, feeling very upset. She is later seen by Speedy, still within the confines of the park but perching on a large rock beside the park boundary fence. Speedy is in the stream and calls up to Owl, telling her that she thinks it was terrible the way she was treated, but it is clear Speedy also finds the situation amusing as she also laughs. Owl thinks Speedy has come to also taunt her for not having a mate and tells her of her decision to leave the park and find one. With that, Owl says her goodbye's to Speedy and flies out of the park. Speedy appears to be sadden by her departure and is seen crying.

When Owl eventually returns to White Deer Park she is accompanied by a funny, handsome and young Owl called Hollow. She arrives just in time to hear Bully and his huge gang of rats planning to take over White Deer Park and kill the other animals. Owl is stunned to discover the trouble that has ensued during her absence but is not surprised that Fox has been unable to deal with it, telling Hollow that he is far too vague. She sees it as her job to take charge and tells Hollow to keep watch over the rats whilst she informs her old friends of the impending danger. When Owl arrives at Fox's earth she can't believe that they are just laying about in the sun. A sleepy Fox, not realizing that Owl has actually returned, talks to her like she had never been gone but when he does eventually come to his senses he is very pleased to see her again. Owl tells them that she is shocked they're not fighting the rats until Vixen informs her that they having been fighting them every day and night since she left the park. Weasel soon shows up with Measly and her young, Cleo and Fido and is surprised to see her back, apologizing for her behavior towards her. Just as Weasel comments that she sees Owl never found a mate, Hollow swoops in. Weasel is shocked that Owl managed to find one and a handsome one at that, commenting that he is much better looking than Measly. Vixen congratulates Owl. Then Adder appears after seeing the shadow of an Owl across the surface of the pond and Owl is glad to see her old friend again. Owl, not realizing that Adder's mate Sinuous was killed by the rats in a vicious attack, says that they'll have to find her a mate next. Adder's face drops and Owl is confused, until Vixen tells her all about what happened. Owl apologizes at once and Adder forgives her, saying that she wasn't to know. Plucky and Charmer arrive on the scene and inform the animals that the rats are gathering for an attack. Owl then tells them what she saw and Vixen asks her about what they should do. She suggests that they form a circle and Hollow agrees. The two Owl's then fly off, ready to pounce on the rats. They meet Whistler and Speedy in the air, who have also come to help attack the rats. Owl introduces Hollow to them and Speedy says how handsome he is. The four birds then swoop down, ready to attack. After the the animals win the battle against the rats, Hollow tells Owl that he will never get bored here as it is a very exciting place. The animals later meet at the stone circle and when Fox announces that Plucky is to be the new leader, there is talk of who should be second in command. It is then that Owl says that it should be her who is second in command!