Heligan Barn Owls 2012
31st July 2012
We have now taken our Barn Owl cameras offline for this season as the owlets have fledged and are no longer using their nest box as frequently. We have had some enquiries as to how they have been getting on and thought it may be an appropriate time for a final update.
Three owlets out of the initial five that hatched, survived to fledging. On average about 80% of owlets that hatch survive; so they did not do too badly! All three look healthy and do still occasionally use the nest box to roost, but are predominantly roosting in one of the other barns in the complex.
We have had good weather so far and assume they are feeding well and getting ready to finally disperse from the site within the next few weeks or so. Unfortunately the greatest dangers for young Barn Owls are in this dispersal period, where they leave the area surrounding the nest site to find new roosts. They have had a strong start, and we hope for the best.
We will be carrying out routine maintenance on the nestbox and cameras over winter, to get ready for when the parents hopefully move back in, early next year!
