At last the evening arrived when we were going to ring the youngsters, this was at last the time when we would find out as to how many young we had.
When trying to check the numbers with the CCTV cameras in the box we have had problems with some dirt getting onto the left hand side of the lens on the camera at the far end of the box {Where I have managed all the previous images} and the camera at the other end of the box, pointing towards the entrance had been knocked and was pointing more down than previous. This meant I could not see properly into the corner of the box and as the youngsters had all moved to this end to be nearer to the food supply entrance with the adults, counting them was very difficult.
It in the end was a wonderful evening with us ringing five Owlets, all of a good size and looking very healthy, and it appears this year we got the timing correct with the size of the birds.
So let's get onto the images for you.
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Rhys on duty with the net to stop any runners escaping and Andy getting ready to open the box. |
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The box is open, so what have we got.???? |
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With a closer look I can one. |
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Andy was in quickly and out came all five and put in bags to be lowered down for ringing. |
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Owlet 1, ring Number GR41963. Primaries showing well, this was the oldest bird, first to hatch. |
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Just could not resist a head shot. |
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I wonder if this is the bird that fell from the box, have we met before,. ??? It didn't seem to recognise either Christine or me. |
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Owlet 2, ring Number GR41964. Not so advanced as number 1 but feathering showing . |
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Again a head shot. |
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Owlet 3, ring Number GR41965. Very similar size wise to previous bird, could be slightly older. |
Again a head shot.
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Owlet 4, ring Number Gr41966. This bird did plenty of wing flapping and appears more advanced than the previous two. |
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Again a head shot. |
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Owlet 5, ring Number GR41967. Appears to be the third oldest of the young. |
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And of course the head shot. |
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My friend Rhys with his Owlet prior to them being returned to the box. |
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The three happy ringers with the five, Christine on the left, Andy in the middle and Rhys on the right, we both thank you for you giving your time to ring these wonderful birds. |
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An excellent ending to the evening, after this, the birds were returned to the box and after about 20 minutes the adults appeared from the larger box and went away hunting for food and returned within a matter of about 15 minutes. Both Rhys and Andy said how bad the smell was in the box, glad they had that job, I only had to take the images. Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed as much as I did in the getting of the images, we all had a wonderful evening, not sure about the young however. |
Oh my, 5 Owlets. Wow, you must been have so time of your life. Beautiful photos, and thanks to all three there.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
DeleteWe were virtually airborne when we found we had the five, it's so satisfying to have them at home, has the bonus of just walking into the garden and getting into the hide.
It's so good for the three to give the time to come to ring these birds.
All the best,
John
hello John, fantastic result and great to see these little ones. Hope they live a long life.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roos
Hi Roos,
ReplyDeleteYou are always hanging on tender hooks waiting to find the number of birds and this result is brilliant.
Lets hope as you say they have a good productive life.
All the best,
John
Hello John.
ReplyDeleteThat's the moment you've been waiting for !
They are all healthy and that is wonderful. We quickly recognize the older one. I hope the younger one will have enough to eat to grow up quickly.
I thought the nest box was bigger...
Thank you very much for this document, it is rare!
Best regards
Hi Nathalie,
ReplyDeleteYes it was a wonderful evening, at last we had a figure as to how many Owlets we had, and they are all healthy, I had the camera on today and all five are well.
The parents must be giving them super rations as they are growing at such a rate.
The other box is nearly twice the size, the idea was to have the young in the big box so the male could roost through the day in the smaller box, but the Barn Owls had a different ides.
It is rare but so good to see, and I am just going out with the camera to see whats going on.
All the best,
John
Hello John
ReplyDeleteI am really in love with these beautiful young barn owls.
You have no less than 5 young owls in the cupboard and you can also ring them.
I hope they can grow old and healthy.
Great photos and thanks for sharing.
Take care of yourself.
Kind regards, Helma
Hi Helma,
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent result, the adults are obviously finding plenty of food for this hungry brood. I last night sasw one of the youngsters having allok out of the front of the box.#As you say lets hope they have a full life raising Owlets themselves.
So pleased you enjoyed the visit.
You also take car.
All the best,
John
What a joy to see this post! Those wee owls are beyond adorable and such a great gift to our world. Well done all you bird ringers. Fabulous photography as always John, thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful result we have had, I am starting to see the youngsters appearing in the doorway in the evening.
The ringers did a sterling job, thank you for the visit.
All the best,
John
Ohhhhh Absolutely wonderful.. I love :-)))
ReplyDeleteGreat work.. Cheers
Hi Ana,
ReplyDeleteYet again we have had a wonderful experience with these beautiful birds, we are up to in excess of fourty young having fledged in the garden.
All the best,
John
Gran trabajo el que realizáis con las lechuzas, da gusto verlo. Espero que todos esos pollos salgan adelante, parece que tienen buena salud hasta el más pequeño. Enhorabuena John, un fuerte abrazo desde España.
ReplyDelete