New boxes at Petworth…..

Andrew Thompson (Leconfield Estate Manager) took me and Dominic to meet Liz nearby in Petworth, she has several boxes made and erected by her father who like Liz is a keen ornithologist.

First up we checked out a barn owl box near the yard where Liz has seen Kestrels taking in food and just as we got to the tree (having seen the local Little Owl on the way) we heard and saw an adult female Kestrel in proximity to the box. When I managed to get a peak in the box I saw this….

Kestrel Pullus

Mum stayed in the vicinity and let us know she was around still by contact calling and the youngsters called back to her too. There was quite a disparity between the ages of this brood.

Youngest chick

Oldest chick

We headed further out into the farm to an owl box in a tree, we immediately saw white wash on the brambles and thought we would be in luck. When I opened the box the layer of shredded pellets was up past the inspection hatch so I carefully dug some of the pellets out and when I looked in I could see some feet!I managed to poke my phone camera in and capture this gorgeous image.

Adult barn owl on nest with young

Having realised there was an adult in the box and unsure if she was on egss or very small young I decided to leave her in peace and that we could return to revisit later on. It wasn’t until I got home and looked more closely at the photo that I could see the very edge of the facial disc of an owlet in the top corner of the photo. Better to leave her with her young (not sure how many) than cause her any stress. I will keep you updated on any progress. I hope to re-vist around the 13th June.