Royal Mail Stamps 2018 - Owls, 11 May 2018

Royal Mail’s latest new issue spotlights a selection of the UK’s best-loved owl species, with Special Stamps featuring five owl species, photographed as juvenile and adult birds.

Coming hot on the heels of last month’s Endangered Species issue, Owls is a ten-stamp issue which comprises ten Special Stamps featuring photographs of the Barn Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Sort-Eared Owl, Little Owl and Tawny Owl. Each of the photographs features either a juvenile of fully-grown owl pictured in its natural UK habitat and facing into the camera with a piercing gaze.

With more than 200 species of this nocturnal bird of prey in existence, there were certainly plenty of Owls to choose from. The five featured species each live in the UK for at least part of the year and despite being a largely solitary and nocturnal bird, are easily recognised by their distinctive features. Over the centuries, owls have inspired writers, poets and artists and their existence is woven into our national story, from childhood songs such as The Owl and the Pussycat to the ‘bird of doom’ penned by poet William Wordsworth. 

Stamp details

Owls

Issue date: 11 May 2018

Design: Atelier Works

Print process: Lithography

Perforations: 14 x 14

Stamp size: 35mm x 37mm

Phosphor: Bars as appropriate

Gum: PVA

Two x se-tenant strips of five:

Strip 1 – 1^st class (Adults):

• Barn Owl – Tyto alba
• Little Owl – Athene noctua
• Tawny Owl – Strix aluco
• Short-eared Owl – Asio flammeus
• Long-eared Owl – Asio otus

Strip 2: 1^st class (Juveniles):

• Barn Owl – Tyto alba
• Little Owl – Athene noctua
• Tawny Owl – Strix aluco
• Short-eared Owl – Asio flammeus
• Long-eared Owl – Asio otus

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