The benefit of Good habitat

Today I checked a few boxes for potential second broods and although I was disappointed not to discover any I did reacquaint myself with this pair of fourth calandar year owls which have been together in the same nest boxes, near to Crowton, since 2010.

 

 

A roosting/nest site that is combined with ideal Barn Owl hunting habitat should guarantee that the birds remain on territory as they have all that they need. One of the distant trees below contains the nest box in a field that is permanently left as rough grassland - Barn Owl heaven!

A change of box

This pole box was originally erected in October 2006 and after six years of exposure I decided to replace it as it was beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

In order to encourage any youngsters to remain in the nest site until they are capable of flying I have chosen to put up a deeper A-Frame in its place; this should prevent any inquisitive owlets from falling out of the box as they cannot access the exit until they are that much older.

Into a new home

Having replaced one of our older boxes near to Stretton in late August I was delighted to discover a pair of owls had moved in. The male bird (above) had moved a couple of miles from a neighbouring farm where I had ringed him last October.

Predated Stock Dove

I made this grusome find in one of my owl boxes on Monday evening. This freshly killed Stock Dove was in a box that contained fresh Barn Owl pellets but the identity of the killer remains a mystery.