Owlets …..at last

Dominic and I headed to Sidlesham to re visit an owl box which had kestrels breeding in it (see journal 17th June). We found 4 warm kestrel eggs on our last visit but had no idea when they were laid. I had planned to come back 10 days ago but due to unexpected circumstances I was unable to check the box until today.

We were lucky to find one remaining young kestrel with an item of prey in the box along side it. The other kestrels appear to have successfully fledged.

Young Kestrel - photo by Dominic.

Common Shrew

The next box was a barn owl box in a huge oak tree that we had been unable to check last time due to a large congregation of cows and 2 bulls under the box. Today, to our complete surprise an adult barn owl flew out of the box as we drove up. Dominic clambered up the ladder and even more of a surprise were 3 young owlets. I retrieved the youngsters and each was ringed and their wings measured and weight recorded.

Owlets- Estimated to be 30, 32 and 35 days old.

From here we made our way to Pagham to see how a barn owl box with 2 tiny barn owls chicks in it 4 weeks ago was coming on. When I opened the box up I was so surprised to see a stock dove (adult) in the left hand corner that I completely failed to hold onto it for ringing. In the back right corner were two healthy looking owlets ! The stock dove had made a cup nest in the front left corner but has not yet laid any eggs.

This pair of owlets were 37 and 42 days old.

Owlets photo taken by Dominic

I will keep you updated on these boxes, I will be returning in the autumn to check these owls have fledged and to clear out the boxes ready for next years breeding season.