I was walking the dog along a farm road near Capel Bangor at about 7.30 this evening, when I was startled by a weird call and looked up to see a Barn Owl flying high overhead - just about discernable in my head-torch. It was making a continuously repeated hoarse screech/ hissing call, and continued to call as it disappeared over trees at the far side of the field. At that point a 2nd bird called a couple of times in the distance - but using the more typical barn owl screech.
Although the Poyser barn owl monograph states that "males may indulge in a 'song-flight' immediately on emergence [from the roost], flying steadily over their territories....screeching every few seconds", I've never encountered this sort of behaviour before. Has anyone else? I wasn't particularly near any farm buildings, and the calling didn't seem to be an alarm reaction aimed at me or the dog. It's possible that the owl may have been chasing another male I couldn't see in the dark, I suppose...
Will keep my eyes and ears peeled next time I walk the dog along there.