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!
If you have not witnessed it before you are lucky. The first time I saw it like this the older one looked as though it was holding the younger down with its foot and I was horrified, thankfully later it moved and got to its feet. I have seen this 2 or 3 times and don't like it at all but now try not to panic!
Empty box, both hissing - can sleep easy now.
Nothing this morning - empty box, no hissing and no noise from roof!!! Have they left?
Ooooops younger one just jumped back in!!!!
All present and accounted for again. If not long jumped back in, wonder if they were out all night - and did their parents know?
Usual morning scene, lots of preening. Am beginning to wonder whether they will still be here after my week away next week!
Nightly sign off - empty box and the sound of one hissing, has one gone? - bet there are 2 in the box in the morning!
Very quiet here this morning - have had camera on for 45 mins and nothing - bet one will jump back in soon!!!!!
You are getting up too early mops! Both back in their 'security blanket' though they do seem to be dining alfresco mostly now it seems, though I haven't managed an early hours stint again so don't know what goes on through the night but they are hopping out earlier and earlier in the evening too aren't they.
Did anyone else just witness that amazing scene?! No sooner had I posted they are eating out I switched back to webcam and one was trying to devour the biggest rodent? I have ever seen. Taken it about 5 mins to try and get it all down - what's bigger than a rat but smaller than a cat?!!! Incredible.