Friday 22 May 2009

Nesting Barn Owls!!!

Nineteen year ago when we decided to buy an old farmhouse in France as our full time home one of the first things I wanted to do was put up an owl nesting box. So, making use of an old tea-chest I found, I made a few alterations in the hopes that some owl might find it a desirable residence. It was placed up in the eaves of the large barn at the back of the house. After it was in place I bought a book about Barn Owls and was dismayed to find that the best design for their nest boxes was nothing like mine. So I was really pleased and surprised when one evening a few months after it was installed I saw a Barn owl fly out of it!! There were 5 owlets reared in the box that year!! This is what the box looks like today...


19 years on and it's still in place. Admittedly it is looking a little worn but guess what.... the owls are still using it!!! There is a pair of Barn Owls nesting there again this year! This means I get to sit in the comfort of my bedroom in the evenings and watch them coming and going and if my stay at the farmhouse goes on long enough (not sure yet how long it will be) I may even get to see the latest generation take their first flight!!!

9 comments:

BeadyPool said...

How amazing is that they are nesting in your boxs and are using it year after year. You are so priviledged.

Gill said...

I know! I never get tired of seeing them! I shall miss them when we leave here.

Gone to Earth said...

I so envy you... I love owls.

Eve Smith said...

Gill to you live there full time now? I thought you lived in biggar, oh i love your owl house,x

Gill said...

We used to live here full-time but are only staying here now whilst we try to get the place sold. I think I will have to put the owls in my suitcase when we leave!

Suzanne Vaughan said...

Oh how lovely. Owls are great!

dichro-findings said...

Gill . . I've blog tagged you! :o)
See the post on my blog . . http://dichro-findings.blogspot.com/ . . would be nice to get to know you a bit more!
Gloria
XXXX

Unknown said...

We have starlings and sparrows nesting here - not quite the same! I love owls.

Craft Matters said...

Wow. Real owls! What a wonderful thing.