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!
Well I was at Arne looking for glow worms at 10pm along the entrance road and got quizzed by the local police looking for poachers! :-)
7.15pm is a bit too early to see them out hunting Pete. 8pm at the earliest. (The barn owls that is)
Well after only one being in the box all day yesterday- this moring it's back to two!!!!!
They must have known I was going to check up on them today! Can't get webcam in library but thanks for the updates - keep them coming - will check again soon!!! Glad you weren't arrested Pete.
Only one again this morning at 7.30 - will check on my return home later!!!
12.45 now two in the box - one asleep and the other preening itself - I reckon they could be here when you retun home Pudweena!
Box empty at 7.45 a.m. today - no noise other than birds singing - but think I have said this before! will look again on my return home.
Thought that excuse up quick Pete.
Owls definitely waiting on your return Pudweena,Owls like all of us missing you.
Just got in from work and now two back in the box!!! Definitely awaiting your return Pudweena.
Well box is empty again this morning - seems very odd as you can hear the rain outside and it is absolutely pouring down you would have thought they woud be inside in the dry...... or have they flown the nest????
They could be outside the box and still within the shelter of the building perhaps.