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In the Chauvet Caves of southern France is the oldest known depiction of an owl in the world – dating back 36,000 years.

It was discovered in 1994 by a group of cavers.

Fascinatingly, this closely observed bird is drawn from behind, but with its head swivelled backwards 180 degrees, to meet the gaze of people walking towards it.

Humans have long been captivated by owls - as a predator, messenger, emblem of wisdom, something pretty to print on a tote bag or portent of doom.

Author Miriam Darlington sets out to tell a new story about owls. In her watching and deep listening to the natural world, she cleaves myth from reality and will change the way you think of this magnificent creature.

We meet Murray, the teaching owl, the fragile barn owl, the ghost like qualities of a tawny owl, the small but feisty little owl and long eared owls.

Omnibus of five parts abridged by Pete Nichols.

Read by Teresa Gallagher.

Producer: Karen Rose

A Sweet Talk Production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018.

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