Monday 24 October 2011

New Home





Peter and I went out this afternoon to replace three more of our older boxes. This handsome, feisty, first year male was roosting in one of them and he is now safely esconced in his new home.
Interestingly, he was unringed and has moved into a site where I had ringed three young in the summer. He has taken up territory relacing both the breeding pair and their three young which fledged successfully and have moved on to pastures new.


Sunday 2 October 2011

What a difference a month makes






Roy and I revisited the birds that we had ringed at the beginning of September and we were delighted to find all four owlets (two males and two females) in really healthy condition. The pictures clearly demonstrate the rapid maturity into adult plumage that has taken place over the last month.

We have selected a male and a female to try and radio track over the coming weeks so that we can learn more about their dispersal habits as they leave their natal site.