The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Made the first visit today to the Barn Owl Monitoring Programme site in the Binbrook area. Out of 20 boxes checked, 6 contained Barn Owl clutches with a total of 19 eggs and 1 chick. They are at least two weeks behind last year. 4 were occupied by Kestrels and 7 by Jackdaws! An adult male was checked in the same box two years after it was ringed.

Stuart, are the numbers of breeding barn owls down on last year? John.

Hi John,
On this particular project the number of occupied boxes is only one less than last year. However, the clutches are smaller. See Alan Ball's recent entry as his observations are similar to mine.

Checked the boxes for the second time today. Two clutches had not hatched - either infertile or deserted. Better news in the others and managed to ring 6 chicks and 2 adult females. 4 more chicks were too small and will be big enough at the end of the month. Kestrels have not done so well. Only three chicks out of 12 eggs survived to the ringing stage. Is this echoed in other Owl/Kestrel Nest Box schemes?

Stuart - Kestrels between Sleaford and Lincoln have also faired very poorly, with several pairs abandoning nests during egg laying. However in the south of the county they have done well and we have had several broods of five and two of six fledging successfully.

Alan