We let them through and the inspection began - we already knew what the answer would be - no owl eggs, Jackdaws in residence.
A lift of the hatch and a quick count revealed five Jackdaw eggs. They were not surprised. They have visited 15 other boxes today, only one has any Tawny Owls in residence.
A bad year for Tawny Owls they say.
Ah, well.
We will clean the box out again in November, hope for the best.
Maybe next year.
Dam Jackdaws get everywhere
ReplyDeleteThey are smart enough to nip into the owl boxes before the owls get there - darn it!
DeleteOh how disappointing. We have Tawnys all about the place here - lots of trees for them to use. No Barn owls, despite the fact there are plenty of barns. LOTS of Jackdaws in ALL the wrong places - they like our chimneys, so we have had to cap them to deter the birds, but last year we still saw Mrs Jackdaw shimmying in beneath the cap . . .
ReplyDeleteI hear the Tawny Owls calling to one another at night, so at least they are still around. Perhaps next year! There is a magnificent Barn Owl who lives in the ramshackle old barn in the horse paddock across the way. He used to keep the old horse who sheltered there, company. Many a time I would visit the horse and find them both in the same corner, heads almost together...then the owl would fly off until I went away. Wonderful bird.
DeleteThe question is, why??????
ReplyDeleteAll these official looking "inspectors," and not a one, has a reason,
for The Why????????
They don't have an answer,WoW. We'll just have to clean the box out again in November and hope for the best. At least I know the Tawny Owls are still around, I hear them calling to one another at night, so that is reassuring - at one point they went silent for many months.
DeleteI have a feeling the Jackdaw is loved in your parts about as much as the starling here. Better luck next year.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite fond of them, Deb. They are not pretty birds, but they are pretty intelligent! I enjoy watching their antics.
Delete