Barn Owls

Oneputt
Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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edited November 2016 in Wildlife, Nature & the Great Outdoors #1

The Barn Owls in this part of North Norfolk haven't fared very well this year.  

The resident pair at Barleywood had 4 chicks which died and the adults then disappeared.  

The breeding pair at Sculthorpe both died this year, the female from disease the male from starvation.   

Comments

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2

    I wonder why? It wasn't a particularly wet summer. Anyone given you an explanation, Oneputt?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #3

    Apart from the disease of the femail they believe the reset was starvation.  When at Barleywood the Adults were hunting a lot of the day, certainly up until 10 in the morning and from 3 in the afternoon.

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
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    edited November 2016 #4

    Such a shame, Oneputt, we loved watching the Barn Owls when we stayed at wonderful Barleywood C.L. I've never seen them so close before, anywhere.

    Our local Little Owls didn't fare any better this summer, either.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited November 2016 #5

    Such a shame. We loved looking out for the ones at Barleywood. Obviously now there's room for another bird/s to enter the area, wonder if one will do so next year.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #6

    There are still a couple of Tawny owls about.  Sculthorpe have taken in 4 juvenile Barn Owls which they hope to release in the spring.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited November 2016 #7

    There are still a couple of Tawny owls about.  Sculthorpe have taken in 4 juvenile Barn Owls which they hope to release in the spring.

    That's good to hear. Perhaps or two will make it over to Barleywood.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited November 2016 #8

    I have had 5 Barn Owls fledged from 2 clutches this year - last year there were loads more - opinion here seems to be lack of food - I wonder if we should start breeding their food for them. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #9

    Its believe that the 4 chicks by Barleywood probably died of starvation.  Someone in the area was feeding them but when other birds started to take the food the individual stopped putting out food.  Lesson is if you are feeding them then you must continue.
     Be advised though that Owls are protected birds so could get yourself into trouble

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited November 2016 #10

    My neighbour keeps raptors and has stacks of dead duckling chicks which we fed to my lot a couple of years ago when there was a late clutch (with guidance from experts).  I just wondered how one could encourage more voles etc into the area - there is a lot
    of cover for them naturally though. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2016 #11

    When we were in Norfolk in July it was lovely to see an Avocet with a chick also a redshank? with chicks, when talking to the the NT wardens they said it had been a good year for ground nesting birds, as because it had been ideal growing conditions there
    was much better ground cover,so much less predation ,could that have been a problem for the Owls 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited November 2016 #12

    Interesting point JVB I suppose they might not be able to find their food if there is too much density? 

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited January 2017 #13

    Living in South Norfolk and I have noticed a dearth in Barn Owls.  Last winter we had 4 BO's close to our village centre, from Nov thru to March, they would be up all day and sometimes all at once.  This year they have been absent and the last time that I saw one was June.  I went for one of our local walks last week and saw 2 BO's, but this would mean a walk of 2 hours to get my fix.

    I often stand and watch the marsh, but so far nothing.  I do realise that weather is a major factor in BO's surviving, one week of heavy rain could spell the end for them.

    The attached pictures were taken last winter.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2017 #14

    Great pics Greylag.  I did see 2 x BO at Theberton in Suffolk in December.  Seems to be a lot of Short Eared Owls around again this year.

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited January 2017 #15

    Hoping to get down on the Suffolk coast to find some SEO's, just have to get lucky.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2017 #16

    There are a couple at SWT Carlton Marshes and there were 3 at Breydon/Halvergate yesterday

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
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    edited January 2017 #17

    Fantastic photos, Greylag.

    We sometimes see barn owls flying over the local moors, but only in summer. Fantastic birds.

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited January 2017 #18

    Pliers...We have lived in S/Norfolk for 11 years and for most of the time owls have been plentiful but it does happen at times that they just are not there.  

    Once I know where to find one, the camera becomes part of the landscape....lovely being retired.

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