Two years ago we made and put up a barn owl box in a barn belonging to friends. We know that some barn owl chicks were reared there, so this year we have put a security camera looking into the box so we can peek inside. It’s a great way to observe the barn owls close up and learn more about their behaviour.
I can look at the footage from the comfort of my own home because it can be relayed to my mobile phone. At first I was thrilled to see a barn owl go into the box for short periods, perhaps up to five minutes at a time during the night. It just seemed to be having a poke about and a preen. The base of the box is already lined with barn owl nest bedding, made from compacted owl pellets from the previous two years.
These last few weeks I have been really excited to see a barn owl pair coming into the box during the night. They are very affectionate with each other and can be seen locking beaks and preening each other. I understand that this is to affirm their bond with each other. Last week they were only in the box for a few minutes at the time, however during this colder week they have been in for longer spells.
When not in the box during the night they fly around the barn and perch on beams, in between going out to hunt over surrounding fields. They need to eat between 3 and 4 voles each night.
Here they are nuzzling up to each other. It sometimes looks like they are pecking each other’s eyes out!
Barn owls are a lot smaller than you might expect, however when a wing is outstretched in the box it makes them look a lot larger.
I still cannot tell this pair apart. I’d also like to give them names and wonder about Popeye and Olive. Here the pair seem to be looking up at the camera and saying, “do you think we could have a little privacy here? ”
Alas, the barn owls are not the only pair to be making use of the box. Every morning a pair of crows come into the box. They have been bringing in twigs and bits of straw for their nest. Thankfully I’ve seen them removing twigs too, unless this is rival crows stealing nest material. I’m hoping the barn owls will prevail in the battle for the box. It would be great to see some barn owl eggs laid. Watch this space ….
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 