tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post8386445400243995343..comments2024-03-28T12:04:44.953+00:00Comments on Pegler Birding: Late-Breeding Barn Owl - the outcomeRichard Peglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-30108287237786259012011-12-19T22:10:16.901+00:002011-12-19T22:10:16.901+00:00Hi MelandSyd. I agree that, with most owls, it'...Hi MelandSyd. I agree that, with most owls, it's important that the owlets are given the best chance possible to return to the nest if they fall out. However, with Barn Owl (as you're probably aware as you have a pair of Barnies in a box as your signature image!), where the nests are typically high in the roofs of old buildings, or in nest boxes which are (for the owls preference) placed high off the ground, it's not so easy. The typical Barn Owl nest box has a relatively large verandah shelf outside the entrance hole (as was the case here), and this is usually sufficient. I think that, in this case, the owlet was probably undernourished and desperate for food, so without an adult to look after it, it emerged onto the shelf before it should have done. <br /><br />The consolation is that, after the last winter when, in some parts of UK, it was reckoned that up to 80% of Barn Owls had been lost. Those that are left (this pair being an exception) seem to have had a good breeding year from what I hear from some people.Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-12780240801566099292011-12-19T21:31:47.844+00:002011-12-19T21:31:47.844+00:00That was a sad story! Its so important that whilst...That was a sad story! Its so important that whilst owlets are in the branching stage that they have a system for them that if the owlet falls it can climb back up to the nesting box.melandsydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07326326155611472510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-507274395366827062011-12-17T20:18:14.776+00:002011-12-17T20:18:14.776+00:00Fingers crossed!! Have a great Christmas Christian...Fingers crossed!! Have a great Christmas Christian, and I'm sure we'll be in touch again soon. Use that holiday to track down some more owls!Richard Peglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115206853645323899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2300766267906463889.post-34629842659946714262011-12-17T20:10:44.544+00:002011-12-17T20:10:44.544+00:00Hi Richard, tahnk you for the update. Like you sa...Hi Richard, tahnk you for the update. Like you say, it was never going to be easy. Here's hoping for the remaining owl.Millhouse Photographyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14900757844395788703noreply@blogger.com