Close Shave

Luckily we have chosen to design bomb-proof boxes and the benefits are clear to see. Despite the large bough plummeting to the ground, the Barn Owl box stood steadfastly up to the adversity and, upon checking it this evening, this female had carried on regardless with her first chick hatching today.

First Barn Owl Chick Of 2014

With just a couple of hours to spare this evening I decided to visit a nearby farm to check upon one of my Tawny Owl boxes. Upon arrival I was told that Stock Doves had taken up residence in the Tawny box but that Barn Owls had been seen flying to and from the nearby Barn Owl box. The box itself was covered in tell tale whitewash droppings, a sure sign that there were birds present and inspection revealed that this was indeed the case.

Following the curious pattern of recent discoveries this bird was a previously unringed female  and she too was entering her fourth year. As an experienced bird she was already incubating a clutch of five eggs along with a newborn owlet. The male bird was, as is the norm, roosting elsewhere but he is providing his mate with plenty of food which has enabled this large, early brood to be reared. A Wood Mouse lay uneaten inside the box and pellet remains included Short tailed Field Voles along with a Water Vole skull. Early indications so far this year seem to suggest that the birds are laying much earlier than in the past few seasons and that clutch sizes are bigger too.

Tawny Breeding in Full Swing

This lovely 3rd year spring* bird became the second breeding Tawny Owl that I have found this week. Both have been using nest boxes at new breeding sites which is particularly pleasing. She was in remarkably good condition and quickly settled back inside her nest box to continue her maternal duties. 

This find also represented reward for Robyn, the landowner, whose wildlife-friendly attitude has now resulted in three owl species (Barn, Little and Tawny) setting up home. 

* identifiable as two generations of feathers are found on the wing with some primaries and secondaries having adult patterns whereas others still have the juvenile patterns; tail with adult markings.

After a Gap Year

Following last year's barren breeding season, when many owls chose not to mate, it was good to find my first chick from 2012 that has joined the breeding population. This male was ringed in June 2012 at Pickmere and he has travelled 4 km south to find a breeding territory of his own. His mate is currently incubating a clutch of eggs. 

Is the Record Holder an Ageing Rock Star?

Last August I reported that this particular male was the oldest bird that I had ever recovered (he was ringed as a chick in July 2004) and today he extended his own longevity record when I found him at roost with a much younger, but nevertheless experienced, fourth year female. Proving that he still remains at the top of his game was the fact that she was incubating a clutch of five eggs. I think that he was smiling and winking at me!

Male displaying the classic pure white underparts.

His much younger lady.

First Breeding Barn Owl of the Year

Tonight we found our first breeding Barn Owl of the year. After last year's dismal breeding statistics, it was really encouraging to find this bird so early in the season incubating a large clutch of seven eggs.

Nesting Tawny Owl

A beautiful spring afternoon revealed our first nesting Tawny Owl of the year. Confirming the sedentary nature of Tawny Owls, this female, who was incubating two eggs, was in the same nest box as last year when she managed to raise a brood of three chicks. We will revisit in several week's time to check upon how things progress.