Sunday, July 19, 2009

Owl Watch – The Two Ring Circus

A distinct lack of activity on the blog for only one reason. . .work! But everything stopped yesterday for the arrival of the owl men – Alan and Maurice. They were here to ring the owlets. Mrs H. has been worried that the owls had been too quiet and we had seen very little activity from the adults, apart from the pair of them roosting, somewhat appropriately, underneath our barn. The lack of activity during daylight hours was because they have had plenty of dry nights and they have been able to feed their brood. Last year we had 5 chicks so this year with better weather, and as it turns out only two chicks, it's all been a lot easier.

Alan went up the ladder and the whole process began.


Next came the job of weighing them. The are put in this soft cotton sacks to protect them and weighed. One weighed 415 grams the other 380 grams. Their wings were measured which showed they are 7 and a half weeks old – they fledge at 10 weeks.


In the bag they can be placed on their backs and left while the other owlet got weighed; next both of them were ringed with a unique number.
.
It's even possible to take them out of the bag – they just lay still and 'play dead'. Did you know that owls have the biggest eyes of any bird?


Then it was time for them to go back in the box. . .these two men made Mrs. H. a very happy woman. . .

7 comments:

Richard Evans - who gives a hoot! said...

Great pictures, matey and good to have some news from Owl Lodge.

CherryPie said...

I had no idea owls did that when you put them on their backs!

Trubes said...

That was a most enjoyable post Richard and I'm so glad the owlets are thriving.
If you place a pet rabbit on it's back he will also' play dead', so cute, just like the owlets!

Di.

Birthday Girl said...

Great pictures; I am looking forward to some action shots when they eventually take to the skies.
Your absence from the scene was so long, Richard, I was beginning to suspect you'd been the writer shut in a room and told to write a biog of Michael Jackson in 48 hours! (and were still recovering)

James Higham said...

Have you thought of gatheirng all your owl posts together, Richard?

r morris said...

Congrats, Richard and Christine, on the healthy little owletts. and for the photo-essay.

Edmund Sarginson said...

It's so cute....

hmmm.. can we exchange links Richard? This is Edmund Sarginson from http://www.oxbridge-experts.com...

I am looking forward to hear from you soon. thanks