Today Jamey, Molly and I headed out to check on the Barn owls nest on land near the edge of town that has had a bird on four eggs since the end of April. Unfortunately this is the only active Barn owl nest that i am monitoring this year due to other commitments but hoping to remedy that for next year.
The habitat up here is mostly rough grazing and hill scrub/heather and is relatively undisturbed and is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. One of the most obvious is the herd of
Sika deer which today numbered 173 in three separate herds. The stags, young and old are sticking together but the rutting season starts next month so this will change. Noted at least 7 fawns amongst the lower herd.
On reaching the Barn owl breeding site was delighted to find two chicks in the nest, the chicks were 6-7 weeks old with primary feathers showing well through the white down. Both chicks were healthy and were both ringed. There was no sign of the oth
er eggs and its possible that these too hatched but subsequently perished or were cannibalised by parents or siblings. No signs of stored prey items.
The habitat up here is mostly rough grazing and hill scrub/heather and is relatively undisturbed and is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. One of the most obvious is the herd of
Sika deer which today numbered 173 in three separate herds. The stags, young and old are sticking together but the rutting season starts next month so this will change. Noted at least 7 fawns amongst the lower herd.On reaching the Barn owl breeding site was delighted to find two chicks in the nest, the chicks were 6-7 weeks old with primary feathers showing well through the white down. Both chicks were healthy and were both ringed. There was no sign of the oth
er eggs and its possible that these too hatched but subsequently perished or were cannibalised by parents or siblings. No signs of stored prey items.After this we headed to Skeroblin loch which was very still and fully edged with reed mace and waterlilies. Obviously a fresh emergence of Meadow Brown butterfly taking place as many of the striking males were seen on arrival although they seem to have the knack of quickly disappearing into the lower grass levels. Very still and peaceful up here particularly at this time of the evening. Reed Buntings and Meadow pipits were calling as was a pair of Raven. 11 Mallard were on the loch - all appeared to be juvenile. Good numbers of Blue-tailed Damselfly were also seen
Jamey and molly at Skerablin
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