It's 20 days since Gylfie the barn owl's first chick hatched and the owlets are getting a bit big to brood. Watch as they huddle together for warmth and even groom each other.
Watch this barn owl family live inside their nest here: https://youtu.be/OMbSZlv8v9Y
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WEEK THREE
The eldest chick is almost three weeks old and can now regulate its own temperature - which means mum Gylfie can take a break.
GROUP PREEN
And without her, the three chicks take good care of one another - preening each other's faces and huddling together for warmth.
LOSS
But these young lives are still vulnerable. In the week this clip was filmed, the youngest two of Gylfie's clutch of five do not survive. It is unclear why these two perish, but often it is the youngest of a brood that do not make it.
OWL FAMILY STORY
This is barn owl pair Gylfie & Finn's second brood this season. You can watch the moment the first two chicks hatched here: https://youtu.be/U46wXF9_wzY or watch the story of their first brood, the adorable barn owl chicks Nutmeg & Thyme, here: https://youtu.be/9f5hbWeB40c
AUTUMN BROOD
It isn't unusual for birds to breed more than once in a season, especially when the weather is favourable. This year we experienced a very cold dry spring and one of the pair's three chicks from their first brood did not survive. However, it has been a warm summer and food has continued to be plentiful so it makes sense that this barn owl pair have had another go. It will be interesting, however, to see how the chicks get on as the weather turns.
FINN & GYLFIE: THEIR STORY
This is Gylfie and Finn's first year together and their story has been fascinating to watch. Gylfie is an experienced mother and last year raised three chicks but sadly her partner, Barnie, died. Her new mate Finn has turned out to be a very dedicated and loving father, if at times a little clumsy. Watch my video about his devotion to his first chicks here: https://youtu.be/duA2hIYh8WA
BEECH STUMP NEST BOX
Gylfie's choice of owl box for her second brood has been of some concern since this is where the tawny owls usually lay. However, so far there have been no repercussions from this highly territorial species.
SHORT ON SPACE:
However this nest is considerably smaller than the others and so things could get a little crowded as these barn owl chicks grow!
#barnowls #shorts #robertefuller
I am a British wildlife artist based in Thixendale, North Yorkshire, UK. I build ideal habitats to encourage wildlife into my garden and use nest cams to study their behaviour. These studies inform my paintings. I share the best of my video research on this channel for free. If you would like to support my work please consider a small donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=A52ZHAMJZC3J4
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© Robert E Fuller
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