New behavior observed - the male is eating from a previously regurgitated pellet. Notice the female watching on, so cute. Note: The pellet contains an animal, like a mouse or a rat, which was previously swallowed and partially digested.
The owls are mating several times a night at this point. I know, I seem like a voyeur, but all in the name of science and a fascination with getting to catch wildlife in action.
We now have a second camera installed within the nest. This will give us a closer look at the owls and the owl eggs that will likely come in March and new owlets once they arrive. If you look closely at the in-nest camera, you can see the animal bones from their previously regurgitated pellets. The pellet dirt and the bones make up their nest for their future owlets.
The owls hunt by day and roost here by night. As this video shows the owls appear to accept the additions to the nesting platform. The new walls appear to be a great place to perch and mate.
Barn owls swallow their prey whole. Once digestion is complete the owl will regurgitate a pellet that contains the skeleton of the animal. This material breaks down into dirt that serves as the nest bedding.
Today, we added 10-inch walls to the platform so the future owlets will be safe from falling before they can fly. I was a little worried about the reaction from the pair when they saw it for the first time. They appear to be fine with it.
Added perched to the front of the platform. We will be adding 10-inch walls soon. Walls will help keep future baby owls from falling out of the nest before they are ready to fly.
Female makes the first move for mating.
This is the time of year owls mate for egg laying in about March.
First night with camera in place. Owl appears to notice the camera but leaves it alone. There is no light or sound coming from the camera, we see via infrared.