Barns Owls at Trevorrick
Trevorrick Farm falls within the Camel Estuary hot spot area for Barn Owls. We like to do our bit to promote this by providing owl boxes within a barn and managing our land to encourage a sustainable environment for them. Around 7 years ago we replaced an old style tea chest owl box to the favoured design recommended by the Barn Owl Trust. Since then, we have installed a second owl box with a 'Bill Oddie' adaptation.
These boxes have provided to be a big hit with Barn Owls who have used them every year since, with only one year they didn't raise any young. Not surprisingly, they have also been a big hit with our guests who sometimes gather to watch their movements.
Around 4 years ago, we installed an infra-red camera inside one of these boxes and a second moveable camera watching movements in and out of the box. These have been installed on our local network via an IP video server to allow any of our guests to view the owl antics for themselves within the comfort of their cottage. Ideally, we would like to stream the video on the wider internet, but we are limited by the bandwidth available. As an alternative, I have created a library of barn owl video clips that will be posted on Trevorrick Farm's YouTube channel for all to see.
The TV programme Springwatch has created a great deal of interest in the British Barn Owl, which is fantastic. However, it is not just in the spring time that you can see Barn Owls. From the later part of January, the barn owl boxes will start to be used for roosting and it is from this time that you can see them around at Trevorrick Farm. Calling (Barn Owls screech) occurs to let a suitable mate know of their location and courtship starts. From late April and early May, eggs are laid. It is from this time that the female Barn Owl will stay put in the nest incubating an increasing clutch of eggs. Generally, she will lay between 4 and 6 eggs at around 2-3 day intervals. This can usually all be seen on the Trevorrick Owlcam. The eggs will normally start to hatch late May / early June at 2-3 day intervals. It is not until the last egg has hatched will the female Barn Owl leave the nest for a much needed bath and stretch of her wings. Throughout this time, the male Barn Owl will be bringing food to the female.
The next period is critical to the survival of the young, as was famously seen on Springwatch a couple of years ago. As the young get bigger and their hunger increases, both Barn Owls will hunt for food and they will commonly be seen after day break and from around 4pm in the afternoon. If it is wet during this period, their chances of survival is greatly reduced; Barn Owls cannot fly in wet weather. Their feathers have no water proofing to enable them to fly silently and when you see them, they really are silent.
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