Barn Owls Chicks
- 19th Jul 2016
Our first Barn Owl egg of the year was laid at 12:02 on 4th May and hatched on the 5th June. The second was laid at 23:14 on 6th May and hatched on the 11th June and a third on 9th May at 20:28; unfortunately, this one did not hatch.
With its wildlife sensitive management, the Heligan Estate has been home to breeding Barn Owls for over 13 years; each year seeing anywhere between 2 and 5 chicks fledging into the local countryside.
David Ramsden OBE of the Barn Owl Trust came along to carry out the annual ringing and to check the barn owls overall health. We are pleased to report that both are good and healthy with the male weighing in at 440g and the female 468g.
Claire our new Wildlife Project Coordinator went along with David to meet the barn owls for the first time and to acquaint herself with the nesting barn.
The owlets will stay in the purpose built nest box until they are ready to fledge, which will start from when they are around 8 weeks old. Even after fledging, the parents will continue to feed their young close to the nest box until they are able to successfully hunt for themselves.
For more information on Barn Owls please visit: http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/
