Barn Owl Forum
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Topic: Re:Little Owl Breeding
Posted by: Nick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
Date/Time: 8/2/2004 6:30:14 AM
 
Message:
An open fronted nestbox – originally sited to attract a pair of Kestrels – was used as a nesting site by a pair of Little Owls after they were ousted from their original choice of enclosed site by a pair of Jackdaws. In June we monitored the open fronted nestbox and were pleased to see 4 young which had hatched from 4 eggs. They were not far from fledging.

On 24th July we were surprised to find one of the Little Owls still within the nestbox. The reason for this became apparent. Large hardened clumps of nesting material and prey debris were found around the talons of the bird. This prevented the owlet from fledging and would have prevented it from hunting if it was capable of flying. The talons were completely encased.

It would appear that the nesting material became sodden due to the driving rain we had in late June/early July. The open fronted design allowing the rain easy access to the nestbox. We think that the adult birds were still feeding the owlet while it was still in the box.

Taking great care we had to remove the bulk of hardened material with a small pair of pliers with the rest being picked away from the talons with our fingers. Because of the sodden nest material in the box we placed a 50mm layer of dry grass onto it and placed the owlet on this. Hopefully the owlet will be fed by the adults and fledge from the site in the coming weeks.

This is the first time we had such an occurrence in any of our nestboxes. We recommend enclosed sites be provided for Little Owls with small entrance apertures 70mm in diameter. An internal baffle should be provided to prevent the ingress of driving rain into the nesting chamber.

 
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TopicPostedBy
Little Owl Breeding7/3/2002 8:12:55 AMRoy Leigh
     Re:Little Owl Breeding7/4/2002 3:31:30 PMvince cartwright
          Re:Re:Little Owl Breeding7/5/2002 7:03:28 AMRoy Leigh
     Re:Little Owl Breeding7/5/2002 2:08:16 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
          Re:Re:Little Owl Breeding7/5/2002 7:08:59 AMRoy Leigh
               Re:Little Owl Breeding7/8/2002 1:52:28 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
               Re:Little Owl Breeding7/8/2002 1:52:32 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
                    Re:Little Owl Breeding8/2/2004 6:30:14 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
                         Re:Little Owl Breeding8/31/2004 4:39:34 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
                              Re:Re:Little Owl Breeding9/4/2004 2:29:17 AMRoy Leigh
     Construction& Siting Of Little Owl Nestboxes10/8/2004 6:35:36 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
          Re:Construction& Siting Of Little Owl Nestboxes10/8/2004 10:29:55 AMvince cartwright
     Re:Little Owl Breeding4/5/2005 12:11:46 PMVince Cartwright