The affection between barn owls Gyflie & Finn was once indeniable. This pair have been inseparable, as to faithful to one another as they have been to their chicks. And this legacy lived on of their chicks, even after faithful owl dad Finn unfortunately died.
Securing a nest
The tale starts in January 2022 as those barn owls earch for the easiest nest. Feminine Gylfie dithers and the power mounts as kestrels and tawny owls start taking the most productive spots. In the end there’s just one choice left, a nest field I madem from outdated elm tree stump.
Courtship
In spite of being a longtime pair, this owl couple will have to renew their bonds, and their contemporary devotion is touching – Finn turns out reluctant to go away Gylfie’s facet.
Owl eggs
In Might Gylfie lays her first egg, then one each and every two-to-three-days till she has 4. In contrast to some birds of prey, barn owl eggs are incubated once they’re laid and so Gylfie starts the lengthy procedure, while Finn brings her meals.
Chicks hatch
After a month of incubation, the primary chick hatches. Then any other two. One egg fails to hatch and Gylfie discards it.
Chicks develop
Because the chicks develop, their characters increase. Audience of this channel nickname them Freya, Griffin and Fern, from eldest to youngest. With 8 days between them there’s relatively a dimension distinction. As Freya grows, she turns into relatively fiesty, rudely snatching meals from her oldsters.
Drought
A heatwave moves and the nation-state temporarily dries up. Water is scarce and the flora and fauna starts to hunt out animal water troughs within the surrounding farmland.
RIP Finn
When Finn doesn’t flip up someday, I seek greater than 20 troughs and to find him tragically drowned.
Supporting the owl circle of relatives
Now that Gylfie will have to deal with the chicks by myself, I assist out with meals deliveries.
Chicks display affection
After their father dies, I realize an peculiar bond growing between the barn owl chicks. The place generally I’d be expecting them to compete for meals, the trio start to percentage.
ID rings
At seven weeks, the chicks are tagged. Now it is going to be conceivable to track them thru the remainder of their lives. Gylfie will get a brand new mate Because the chicks turn into extra impartial, I realize Gylfie spends extra time away. It’s quickly transparent she has a brand new mate. We test this male owls’ ID ring and uncover he’s a rescued owl who grew up right here at Fotherdale – along Finn!
Fledging
On the finish of July, Freya fledges the nest, adopted over the next weeks through Griffin and Fern. Freya, Griffin and Fern have come some distance since they have been tiny owls and feature had to triumph over the lack of their father. After this kind of get started, it’s so glorious to observe those chicks fly unfastened and powerful.