Now the kestrels have fledged you can now watch our three barn owl chicks live via http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/webcam.aspx.
They aren't very active during the day but watch during the evening as the parents bring them voles and mice that they catch on the heath and farmland close to their nest.
Feel free to use the forum to post any observations or questions and we will do are best to answer them!
Barn owl chicks take atleast 55 days to fledge which is a big difference to the kestrel chicks which fledged after 35 days. The oldest chick is about 50 days old and the youngest is about 40 days old so there is still abit of time before they all fledge. Female barn owls don't delay incubation of their eggs unlike the kestrels so there is always a big difference in chick size with the oldest being the most dominant and likely to eat its smaller siblings. It sounds gruesome but it is a survival mechanism and will see the older chicks through periods when food is scarce and often ensures that atleast one chick will always fledge. In the case of this nest they all look healthy and there has been plenty of food so fingers crossed for the smallest one.
Enjoy watching and listen out for the extremely scary noises they make!
And then there were two. :-)
Would love to know where eldest sibling is residing.
Think the 'middle one' is for the off very soon as he was out of the box for such a long time yesterday but nice he came back in to spend the night with the younger and still there.
Youngest on its own again enjoying what looks like a rat, certainly being well fed - no sign of the other one yet but only been watching for short time.
And then there were 2 - and then there was 1!
Taking in turns up & down & back with yet another rat/mouse/vole - can't keep up with them, they can't be hungry - parents doing a grand job.
Well these 2 are hanging about a bit aren't they! With this rainy weather I don't blame them.
Been out Barn Owl hunting but to no avail sadly this evening though always lovely to see the young kestrel chicks still around and watching them swooping on the ground for 'what'?! Will they stay around for a long time? Just switched on and an empty box though can hear the hissing so must be up on the ledge. And still 2 then, thought the older would have gone by now, glad he's still around for company for the younger.
No webcam today, probably rain/damp in the works?
Working again folks! Thanks to Mark.
Nice to have the camera back and both still together cosied up.