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!
Very long time quiet and empty this time but one very sleepy one back in again.
Empty box as usual this time of night but loud sound of one hissing nearby.
Empty this morning too!
One back in and preening.
Not seen 2 at all today. Now, as usual at this time just the sound of one hissing nearby.
Will not be near computer now until Tuesday so will be grateful for the updates to read then, thanks. Daren't say one might have finally gone!!!
Empty box again this morning!
Box empty all day - but sounds like two hissing outside this evening!
One back in the box this morning!
Cannot believe it - home from work and now two back in the box - it really must smell awful in there too if the flies are anything to go by!!!
Went on early last night - box was empty and hissing outside - this morning the webcam seems to be down so cannot report anything!!!