Barn Owl Trust has 5 babies and 2 eggs

Saw Mrs. Owl feeding her babies in the Nestcam

May 2012

11th - reports of only 2 eggs visible yesterday afternoon have raised hopes that Egg 5 has hatched. Due to the female's diligence at brooding the young, we have yet to see all five owlets but hope to do so in the near future. Egg 6 is due some time time tomorrow.

8th - 1.45pm update; we have just had our first view of the four owlets with three eggs yet to hatch!

1.05pm update; the female got up long enough to reveal only 3 eggs, which means that Egg 4 has already hatched, although no confirmed sightings of all four owlets have yet been received.

Egg 3 reportedly hatched some time overnight on the 5th/6th but has so far been difficult to see. The female has been feeding this morning and appears to be surrounded by small mammals, with at least 3 visible and perhaps more in the nestbox. Egg 4, if it does hatch, is due some time today if it hasn't already done so.

4th - Egg 2 reportedly hatched some time before 10pm last night and both chicks have been visible on odd occasions throughout the day today, when the female has stood up for a stretch. At least two small mammals were cached inside the nestbox this morning, a thoroughly good sign that the male is doing his bit. Next one is due late tomorrow or early Sunday.

2nd - the female was seen tearing up a prey item and feeding the owlet at 1.40pm, almost exactly twenty-four hours after we first noticed that the egg had hatched. This may well have been the owlet's first food as young birds continue to absorb nourishment from their yolk sacs for several hours or even days after hatching.

1st - the first signs that Egg 1 may have hatched were recorded at 1.40pm today, when pieces of egg shell were noticed. At 1.55pm the female was moving egg shell around so I think it's safe to assume we have our first arrival!!!!! No views yet of the owlet as probably tucked firmly under the female but we'll keep our eyes peeled.

3.55pm update - good first views of our newly arrived hatchling just now as the female got up to find a cached food item, which didn't appear to be in the nestbox with her earlier. Is the male caching food on the tray outside or is he foraging in daylight?

The Web Broadcasting Corporation (click on Nestcam or Barncam)



Summer - rearing young






April 2012

30th - with the first egg due to hatch some time this week, all attention is on the incubating female. We are keen to record exactly when the eggs hatch so if you're lucky enough to witness any of these events please do let us know by emailing;

nestcam@barnowltrust.org.uk

Thank you.

20th - at 4.25pm, the female consumed a small mammal cached in the nestbox.

19th - it's now 5 days since the last addition to the clutch so now that laying is complete here's a rough guide to when to expect hatching. Incubation usually takes between 31 and 33 days but we've used 32 days as a guide;