RINGING THE YOUNG BARN OWLS.

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. 

Rhys on duty with the net to stop any runners escaping and Andy getting ready to open the box. 

The box is open, so what have we got.???? 

With a closer look I can one. 

 Andy was in quickly and out came all five and put in bags to be  lowered down for ringing.

Owlet 1, ring Number GR41963.

Primaries showing well, this was the oldest bird, first to hatch.

Just could not resist a head shot. 

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. 

Owlet 2, ring Number GR41964.

Not so advanced as number 1 but feathering showing .

Again a head shot. 

Owlet 3, ring Number GR41965.

Very similar size wise to previous bird, could be slightly older. 

Again a head shot.

Owlet 4, ring Number Gr41966.

This bird did plenty of wing flapping and appears more advanced than the previous two. 

Again a head shot. 

Owlet 5, ring Number GR41967.

Appears to be the third oldest of the young.

And of course the head shot. 

My friend Rhys with his Owlet prior to them being returned to the box. 

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. 

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.