A Barn Owl survey, carried out on 28th June following reports of adults bringing food to the A-frame box in the Cleugh. The breeding box was inspected (under licence) and 5 sleeping barn owl chicks were present.

All five were developing well and were successfully fitted with BTO identification rings. These allow us to monitor the birds once fledged and to contribute data about breeding outcomes, survival rates and lifespan of Barn Owls to the British Trust for Ornithology.

There was evidence of food stored within the nest box, which is an excellent sign and reflects the abundance of vole/small mammal prey seen in the area this year. The nestlings were returned to their box before the parent birds returned from hunting.

2023-10-27