A new box in Yapton……….

Ben (my trainee) and I met Richard (landowner) to check out an owl box tucked up in the roof of a beautiful remote barn in Yapton. This is a new box for me, but one that Ben monitors regularly and owls have been seen bringin in food to the barn.

Remote Barn

As we approached the barn and Richard put the key in the lock, 2 adult barn owls flew in opposite directions into the trees at the field edges. Richard’s granddaughter joined us and as we crept into the barn, eagle eyed Ben spotted an owlet on the floor underneath the box. There were another 3 owls in the box and Ben brought them down to be ringed. They were all healthy including the one from the floor of the barn.

Barn Owlet

This seemed a very early brood, so I wonder if these owls will have another brood later in the summer to try to make up for last years appalling breeding season. Watch this space !!

Healthy brood of 4 owlets