Barn owl success story

[larachmor]

When we first moved to The Highlands a few years back, we checked a local disused barn for evidence of barn owls: The evidence was certainly there, feathers, a large accumulation of pellets, and sadly, the decomposed remains of barn owls on the barn floor. We found the nest site in a void in some old machinery, occupying a site that was all too easy for predators – rats, pine marten, stoat and wildcat. In May of 2004 I obtained a barn owl box, constructed and kindly donated by a local grammar school, and with the help of friends installed it high in the rafters. We revisited the site in September, and disappointingly, recovered one addled egg and another carcass beneath the box. By 2005 our fortunes had changed and we had a brood of 3 chicks, 2006 produced 5. In 2007, we were unfortunately caught on the hop by an early-fledging brood occupying the barn when we checked (at least 3) and now 2008 has produced another brood of 4. On a recent, (and very timely visit) to assess their readiness for ringing, I found one chick had jumped the nest onto the floor of the barn, and returned it to the box, and earlier this week I called in our ringer and the 4 youngsters were rung. They were all fit and healthy - we christened one “Sid” as he, the eldest, proved a little vicious when drawing him out from the darkness of the box –drawing a little (human) blood as he did so!! We’ve been providing feedback to the school, which has given them much satisfaction, as it has here – and having drawn a blank in its first year, the box has seen at least 15 young owls fledging in the 4 years since – our own little success story.


"Sid" being rung

"Sid" posing



and this year's brood

[monkey]

Well done they are such lovely birds and the youngsters are so funny and your involvement with the school will help the children learn about nature and take an interest which must be good

Linda

[sleipnerofasgard]

Lucky you,everybody is getting lucky but me

[Bub-les]

Well done. Its good to hear of success stories.
Have you ringed in the past and do you get any feedback from the ringing?
Barbara

[mh68]

Excellent stuff, and nice pics too

Mark H

[deer boy]

Thats great news & lets hope they continue to do well,nice pics BTW

[stephen p]

Thats brilliant!

I would give anything to have a barn and for that to happen, i'd probably never sleep though as i'd be worried about them all the time.

Keep up the good work buddy.

[larachmor]

Originally Posted by Bub-les

Well done. Its good to hear of success stories.
Have you ringed in the past and do you get any feedback from the ringing?
Barbara

Hi Barbara - No, I'm not a ringer myself, though I do get feedback. Of the 15 owls rung so far, (with this year's brood of 4 yet to fledge of course) we have had, so far, one dead recovery of an owl in its first year, a few miles from here. The owl was undernourished and probably died of starvation: As with many birds of prey, the chances are that most will not make it through their first winter. Perhaps 1 or 2 of this year's brood will do so, dependant on the availability of prey and their acquired skills at hunting. However, if they make it through their first winter their chances of long-term survival increase dramatically. Bill.

[glsammy]

I thik it should be made clear that Barn Owls are schedule one birds, obviously this means not just anyone should attempt to monitor or disturb in anyway a nest site.

This comment isn't in any way implying that this poster has done anything wrong, it's just a comment to make clear to anyone reading this thread that if you know where Barn Owls are nesting, it's best to leave well alone.

[big bill]

Well done on the pics and introducing and helping the Barn owls in your area ,I think they are a beautiful bird and are one of my favourites.
Congratulations on getting the local school interested in the wildlife too.