Little Owls: This short film follows my quest as a wildlife artist to film little owls inside their nest.

You can watch more little owl films here:    • Little Owls | Discover Wildlife | Rob...  

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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Artist's quest

As a wildlife artist, I like to get to know my subjects well so that I can convey their individual characters in my paintings. Little owls have always been one of my favourite birds to watch, but I’ve never been able to film their secret lives inside the nest.

Creating habitat

I began my journey by building a bespoke nest, made to the exact specifications of a little owl and placed in a spot I knew the owls would like. Watch this to learn more about how to build a nest for a little owl:    • How I Built a Deluxe Box for Little O...  

Attracting a little owl

Within four days, a little owl turned up to inspect my nest and I watched with baited breath as he brought his mate to see what she thought of it.

Signs the little owl pair may lay eggs

When the female shuffled her body down and began to dig a nesting scrape into the bottom of the nest, I really thought she could choose to lay her eggs here! The pair seemed to really like it, they spent their days keeping guard and their nights mating on perches I built outside… although things didn't always go to plan!

Competition

But nest sites are in short supply, and soon a young male kestrel showed an interest in the site.

Little owl defence

When the kestrel pinched the little owl's food, the little owl decided to take action. A little owl is much smaller than a kestrel, but it is fierce and after a tense standoff it was the larger kestrel that retreated.

A new box

The kestrel needed a nest, so I designed a new, more spacious, box with him in mind. And sure enough the kestrel seemed to like it watch as he nods his head! But it's not long before this new site is up, it catches the little owl's eye.

And another clash

Little owls will usually choose small, dark spaces so I was surprised to see them in this large, light nest site. But they seem delighted and I got to watch some beautiful courtship behaviour. In fact they seem to like it so much they fought the kestrel for it and a barn owl that also showed an interest.

Little owl attack

The little owl is a fierce fighter. Incredibly it grabbed a barn owl twice its size and yanked it out of the box.

The pair move on

Then, after all that, the little owls decided not to nest here. Perhaps they felt the competition was too fierce. Either way I haven't seen the female for some time so I think she must have laid her eggs elsewhere.

Looking out for chicks

Wherever they are nesting, I hope they have a healthy brood and I’ll be keeping a close eye out for chicks. I didn't get to watch them raise their young inside the nest, but I've enjoyed a privileged view into their secret courtship.

Read more

If you would like to learn more about the little owls I follow here in Thixendale, North Yorkshire, and see the paintings they inspire you can read my blog here: https://robertefuller.com/diary/awin...

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
Facebook:   / robertefullerart  
Twitter:   / robertefuller  
Instagram:   / robertefuller  

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© Robert E Fuller

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