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!
Heard loud hissing a few minutes ago and can hear pouring rain but empty box still.
Webcam seems to be down again, rain/damp in the works maybe. Wonder if anyone in the visitor centre saw either/both in the box today? Only saw the one inside the box at lunchtime.
One back in the box, looking gorgeous!
There were 2 in the box and the little one said ........! And hissing too, and I thought yesterday might have been the last time I saw one of them in person. Or is it someone just playing re-runs for me?! Well if you don't count the day they hatch, then the youngest must be 85 days old and the middle one 91 days, and that's assuming the eldest did go first, amazing.
Bought my RSPB Christmas cards last week, guess which ones?
Sorry, RSPB, I know I am supposed to stick to posting what I see!
Two very distinctly separate loud hissings outside the box - one slightly lower pitch than the other.
One back in sleeping.
now looks as if webcam is down again!!!!
One still in the box preening away.
Empty box but the sound of one owl hissing nearby.