You might recall in my piece that I wrote for March 1st that I had installed an owl box. A few days later a second box was installed in another oak tree to the east of the farm buildings. It seems that within weeks that Mrs Barn Owl decided to take up residence and I am delighted that we now have 3 barn owl chicks on the farm.

A friend who has a RSPB permit to handle and ring owls inspected the box last weekend. The chicks weighed in at 250g, 290g and 300g. At this age the chicks are very docile when handled. The identification ring sits above there claw and below their “knee” joint. It can not pass either.

My daughter also named them Banana, Fluffy and Panda. But I don’t know which is which. It’s very rewarding to see positive outcomes for conservation work on the farm.