Tawny Cam

Orly and the Alien

Saturday, 25 April 2009

I was reviewing the photos captured by the camera on Thursday night and discovered the one below. It would appear that Orly is sharing the nest box with an alien. Ok so it's a really brave spider that may well have been eaten buy now but the photo looks freaky.

Labels: Camera, Photo, Tawny Owl

What of the Kestrels?

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

What of the kestrels, it was their box after all.

In 2008 a pair of Kestrels successfully used the nest box to raise three youngsters. When it became clear that the Tawny owls would evict them this year, I made a few repairs to an old nest box and placed it in a large oak tree close to the house.

Over the last couple of weeks the Kestrels have slowly taken ownership of the new box. Spending time in and around the box, whilst also mating near the nest.

If the Kestrels are as successful as last year, when they had 3 chicks fledged, then it will be a good year.

Photos below show the female kestrel in and around the next box.

Labels: Kestrel, Photo

Second Egg Laid

Friday, 10 April 2009

The female laid her second egg some time in the early hours on the 8th April, around 72hrs after the first.

The female is now sitting on the eggs and hopefully we will see the first one hatch around the 8th May.

Female with 2 eggs

Labels: Egg, Photo, Tawny Owl

Tawny Lays First Egg.

Sunday, 5 April 2009

Great news, at around 5.19 this morning the female laid the first egg. Hopefully a few more will follow at intervals of up to 48hrs. Shortly after laying the egg she left the box and returned 40 minutes later. She has since been lying up at the back of the box, where I'd expect her to remain for the rest of the day.

I'll post more photos as and when she lays more eggs. The female should start brooding once the 2nd egg is layed, with the first hatching taking place around 30 days later.

Labels: Egg, Photo, Tawny Owl

Is it time to rename the site Tawny Cam?

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

Is it time to rename the site Tawny Cam? It looks more and more likely that I'll need to rename the site Tawny Cam. The Tawny owls are visiting the box every night currently. Last night it was on two occasions, the first for just over 50 minutes. The camera has also captured images of the male bringing food to the nest box for the female.

The kestrels are no longer visiting the box in the daytime. They have however taken a great deal of interest in the second nest box that has been erected about 75 m away. Unfortunately there is no camera in that box but it's location will make a good photography site to hopefully get photos of the adults going to and from the box.

Whilst we await for some egg laying action, here's some facts about Tawny owls and what we might expect over the coming months.

Hollow the Tawny Owl - Captive Bred

Courting Period: December to early April. Peak period March

Egg Laying: February to mid-April. Peak period mid-March to early April. Duration 2 to 4 days

Incubation: February to mid-May. Peak period mid-March to early May. Duration 28 to 30 days

Hatching: March to mid-May. Peak period mid-April to early May.

Young in nest: Mid-April to late June. Peak period mid-April to late May.

Juvenile Dispersal: July to late September. Peak period mid-April to late May.

Tawny owls usually lay 2-3 eggs but occasionally up to eight, normally at intervals of 48 hours. Incubation starts with the second egg in clutches of two or more. The eggs hatch asynchronously with the young being brooded by the female for up to 15 days after hatching. During this time the food is delivered by the male.

The photo above is of Hollow the Tawny owl who is a captive bred owl and lives at The Barn Owl Centre just outside Gloucester. The Barn Owl Centre is a UK registered charity, with the mission of the advancement of conservation of the Barn Owl & other species of Owl.

Follow on Twitter for all the latest updates - www.twitter.com/kestrelcam

Labels: Facts, Photo, Tawny Owl

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