Barn owls Willow and Ghost are incredible owl parents. Watch as they defy the odds after laying their eggs in the dead of winter.

Watch Willow and Ghost interact live on my nest cam:    • Live From Fotherdale | Robert E Fuller   and follow their story in this playlist:    • Barn Owls Willow & Ghost | Wild Live...  

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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Breeding season begins early

For barn owls Willow & Ghost breeding season starts in December, with the snow still on the ground. Their last brood having barely left the nest, Willow chases away her three chicks so that she and Ghost can begin preparing for a new family.

Preparing the nest

While normally barn owls lay in the spring, Willow scrapes out a hollow to lay eggs in. Although this is not unheard of behaviour, it is unusual.

Defending the nest

Particularly keen on this nest, Willow must fight off barn owls and kestrels to make sure Sycamore Stump remains hers.

Willow lays egg

By midJanuary the first egg is here. Willow must now incubate and rely on Ghost to supply her with food. When he turns up with just a small morsel she almost throws it at him.

Two more eggs

Barn owls lay their eggs 23 days apart. Willow's 2nd egg comes 2 days after the 1st and the 3rd another 3 days later. Watch the male barn owl Ghost's reaction when he sees his two eggs.

Incubating eggs in February

As blizzards howl and rain lashes the nest, Ghost struggles to fly to hunt for food. But the pair battle on, keeping their eggs warm despite the storms.

Barn owl Skye hatches

At last the 1st chick hatches and within a few hours Willow feeds the tiny owlet its first meal. The chick, a female later named Skye, can barely sit upright and its eyes are yet to open.

Chicks 2&3 hatch

The 2nd & 3rd chicks hatch and Willow & Ghost are now busy feeding and incubating. The chicks vary in size considerably. The older two can already bob their heads and flap their wings.

First peeks outside

By March the chicks are spending their days looking out of the nest.

Owl bath

Barn owls need to keep their feathers clean and after so long in the nest Willow bathes in a pond.

Owlets alone

The weather is now hot and as the chicks grow there is less room in the nest. So Willow moves out, but stays close to protect the chicks.

Flight feathers

As their adult plumage grows through, the chicks lose their fluffy down, covering the nest in the tiny waxy pins that top the flight feathers.

Sibling love

Now they are alone, the chicks take care of one another. But sibling love goes out of the window at dinner time!

First fledge

Skye, the first to fledge, takes a short flight out of the nest and back.

ID rings

The owlets get identification tags and we learn how to tell the difference between male & female barn owls and enjoy a close up of how their claws fit together like puzzle pieces to help them hunt.

Fledgling owlets grow

Over the next month the owlets perfect their flying and hunting skills, using Sycamore nest as a base. It's amazing to watch them gain confidence.

ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.

You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!

You can also follow me on these platforms:
Website: https://www.robertefuller.com
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CHAPTERS
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00:00 Early start to breeding season
01:02 Preparing the nest
02:50 Defending the nest
03:32 Willow lays 1st egg
05:12 2nd & 3rd eggs laid
06:34 Incubating eggs in snow
08:25 1st barn owl chick hatches
09:20 Asynchronous hatching
09:34 Chicks 2 & 3 hatch
17:30 Barn owl chicks alone in nest
19:16 Sibling love
20:43 First peeks out of nest
25:52 ID rings
28:44 Difference between male & female barn owls
38:10 Growing up

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© Robert E Fuller

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