Boxing Clever

I was out with my mate Paul this weekend to start renumbering all the boxes and amending the records; this means now that all the boxes have a small disc which has a number engraved on it, which we stick to the front of the box. This then makes it easier for Paul, when he returns home, to know which boxes we have been to, instead of trying to remember which site/ who's land it's on/ where exactly the box is |(as some farms have more than one box), and whats happening at the box during the breeding season. We also keep information on what state the box is in, and whether it is in need of repair etc. Going around the boxes, we came across quite a few of the juveniles which we had ringed in the middle of June.... wow! how much they have grown!.... two have already fledged at one site, and it will not be long before all the others are on the wing. At one of our sites, Paul was taking the ladder in, and two of the juveniles which were roosting on the beams in the barn took flight - one flew to a hedge and disappeared, the other decided not to fly too far and landed in the field more or less in front of us - just enough time for an image!

Note the ring on the birds right leg

Pity about the grass in front of it's lovely face

We carried on and numbered a total of 16 boxes. At our last site of the day,we have both a Barn and Little Owl box; although this place is perfect, for some reason, neither Paul or I have ever seen an owl here until today - as Paul pulled the landrover into the barn, there on top of the barn owl box sat a juvenile Little Owl - result!! another new site for Paul! On the way back home, Paul stopped off at one of his reliable sites for Little Owl, and we were not disappointed as a juvenile appeared just long enough for an image. We did hear the adult calling, but it stayed well hidden. All in all, another good day

Not a brilliant image but a record shot of the Little Owl at the newest site

The last Owl of the day

Hope you have enjoyed your visit