Lorraine Williamson
For several weeks, residents of Vigo found their nights disrupted by an unexplained high-pitched beeping. The source remained a mystery, unsettling many in the Travesía de Vigo and Calle Aragón neighbourhoods. Until it was discovered to be a tawny owl.
Theories ranged from malfunctioning alarms and faulty traffic lights to industrial equipment left running at night. However, local police inspections ruled out any mechanical or technical faults, leaving both authorities and residents baffled.
Eventually, a thorough investigation shed light on the unlikely culprit: not a broken device, but a tiny nocturnal visitor.
Nature’s unexpected performer
The persistent sound was traced to a European scops owl (Otus scops). This is a small species of owl measuring just 20 centimetres and weighing around 100 grams. This particular owl, often mistaken for its larger cousin, the tawny owl, was emitting its distinctive electronic-sounding call. According to Gustavo Ferreiro of SEO BirdLife, these calls serve as part of the male owl’s mating ritual. They mark territory and communicate with their mate during the breeding season.
Though the scops owl is native to southern Pontevedra, its excellent camouflage and nocturnal habits mean it is rarely spotted, even when it resides close to urban areas.
Wildlife adapts to urban Spain
Once primarily a rural species, the scops owl’s increasing appearance in towns like Vigo reflects broader changes in Spain’s biodiversity. Intensive farming practices, widespread pesticide use, and the steady reduction of large trees have diminished natural habitats and food sources. Insects — a key part of the owl’s diet — are disappearing, forcing these birds to adapt to city parks, overgrown lots, and patches of remaining green space.
The owl in question was believed to have nested in an area of dense vegetation near Matías Park and a nearby abandoned mansion, both offering sufficient shelter in an increasingly urbanised landscape.
A broader ecological signal
While the beeping may have irritated many locals trying to sleep, it also highlights a deeper issue. As natural habitats continue to shrink, more wildlife is being displaced, finding refuge in human environments. The presence of the scops owl in Vigo is not an isolated case, but rather part of a global trend in which urban areas serve as unexpected sanctuaries for displaced species.
For residents wondering how long the nightly chorus will continue, relief may be on the horizon. Once the owl’s chicks hatch in August, courtship calls typically subside, bringing an end to the beeping. Until then, the people of Vigo have an unusual opportunity to witness a small, resilient piece of nature surviving amidst the city’s concrete sprawl.
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