Arrivals & Departures: The birds at Jordan's Farm
The Owlets, Jordan 2.0, Preston and Lavenham, were released in January. We were weather watching for a suitable window, which given how wet last winter was it took a while! We are pretty sure two have paired and are living in a old shed (right) in which we popped an old owl box. We have continued the support feeding, especially given the very varied and often wet weather, but they need to learn how to hunt, so they do not get enough to sustain them but to help. From 5pm onwards I am pretty sure I am being watched as I take their food out and most days I am! The picture above was taken in the aviary on a night when all three came back for shelter from the rain and wind.
Here they are in the aviary, this was taken after their release. They came to hang out for the night!
You can see from this photo taken with Colins Sheads motion sensitive camera in the Outback that one of the Barnowls has done something silly and broken some wing feathers….. Another reason for some extra tucker at them moment. Its just a shame that it was a rainy evening at dusk, if this image were a little sharper it would be a winner!
This beautiful rare honey coloured Barnowl is Hagmore. That is where she was found. Now I know that is Owl and Bird of Prey Rescue’s convention but really?! She’s sooo pretty! She came to us in February and was young but was raised by her parents. I have never seen a bird leave so quickly. As soon as that door was open she streaked out flew up into the air and turned north. She knew where she was going.
Once Hagmore moved out a squatter moved in. I did not realise untill Stephanie from Owl and Bird Prey rescue needed the aviary for a Buzzard. A Blackbird had decided that the sheltered straw filled owl box was perfect for a nest and so we waited for the eggs to hatch and the babies to fledge. I cannot deny that I enjoyed watching them grow. The pre release door is shut now to ensure we don’t have anymore incumbants!
We have had some lovely new arrivals in our wild bird population too.
Glen Moore spotted a Stonechat over winter, I have seen Woodcock’s and Greylag Geese on the ponds. In April Glen spotted a Lesser Whitethroat and very recently Swifts have arrived!
Working with the RSPB I am leaving out seed for Turtle Doves and keeping everything crossed that they find it! In time I hope that the Outback with its combination of emerging shrubs and trees and the ponds will become a perfect breeding ground for this very endangered bird. At lest now the Spanish and French have stopped shooting them as they migrate over, but the Maltease continue to do so….