early breeders (1 Viewer)

hi everyone

I work at an owl sanctuary in S wales and i couldn't believe today when we had a call out to a baby tawny owl which had come out of its nest where ever it was and stumbled into a rugby match but i couldn't believe that they have breed so early the bird is only a week or two from fledging so they have survived snow minus tempuratures

what happening around the rest of the country

thanks

luke

i do apologise
i just noticed theres a very similar thread just below
but still interesting though

Hi Luke,

That is interesting news, thanks.

Tawny Owls are very early breeders, but I would expect them to be sitting on eggs at the moment. However, because owls are not tied to insect supplies, which in turn are tied to temperature, they can in fact breed at any time of year so long as the small mammals are there to support them.

Normally of course this is in spring and early summer, but I have known Barn Owls to nest in January before if the previous year has been good for voles, and they are a more specialist feeder than the Tawny Owl.

Have you had a look on the Phenology website? It records nature's calander year after year and is producing some very interesting evidence for global warming.

I'm just about to record my first Frog Spawn and bumblebee for the year!

It would be good to know the first breeding date of Barn Owls in your area if possible.

Cheers
Jenny

many thanks for that jenny

luke