Link to 2021 thread
Live stream: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/wildlife/webcams/barn-owl
As with the 2020 season, barn owls did not use the box for breeding in 2021, will this year be different?
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In answer to that question, yes!
9 eggs laid: Incubation period is 30-31 days
Hatches:
1st chick - 21.5.21 2nd chick - 23.5.22 3rd chick - 24.5.22 4th chick - 26.5.22 5th chick - 29.5.22 6th chick - 2.6.22 7th chick - ??? 8th chick - 5.6.22
Female up preening again
She hadn't eaten the prey as she found it within the flooring debris and cached it
Really pleased that the male is providing enough prey for her and that, this evening in particular, she is storing her food. With deliveries not being reported, it's difficult to tell if she is eating well apart from seeing fresh pellets on the flooring.
This one this morning.
According to chat, TWO different males visited her and mated on Saturday. I.e including the one with the bad eye. There are several photos supporting.
16.56 ..ooh what big legs you have. chol:):)
and 17.04 eating prey
Gulp, all gone.
SunnyKate2 said:
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Evening Kate, I've gone back to having no immediate notification of posts again (for the umpteenth time!), I'm only just getting some in dribs and drabs and those were ones posted over 48 hours ago! So frustrating ATM.
I've looked at those pics on chat and I'm convinced it's the original male with the poorly eye! You can see his distinct white, rectangular patch of feathers surrounded by the darker ones on his wing, close to his shoulder, in the mating one. Also, his eye does open slightly on occasion during mating. That's my opinion anyway! lol
The BO's have featured on BBC Essex news today. A short video is within the online news report
www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-essex-61440474
Found this on BHF's public Fb page. One of 3 super pics of the male in flight
Male in, handed over prey then mated the female
She downed it immediately after he left the box
She popped out
He must have followed her back in!
Here they go again! lol
Mating then he left the box
Thanks so much Sandra, for all the info and scaps, very much appreciated.
She just left this one again.Doh!!!
Stretching.
and now the wing stretch
and oh better bring this one in...