Hi and welcome to my Blog, my name is Paul Riddle and I live in south Leicestershire, UK. Back in August 2007 my quest began to locate as many local Little Owl territories as possible. The driving force was a reported decline in the uk numbers so I thought I would do my bit and conduct a study in my area. After 7 years and countless hours out in the field I have detected over 200 different sites. With a thirst for a greater understanding of the owls a more comprehensive monitoring and nest box programme then commenced. This also now includes monitoring the local and very sparse population of Barn Owls, please pop back occasionally and catch up with the life and times of my owls and any other wildlife that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Thursday 8 March 2012

OWL CAM!

After months of planning and a bit of begging, stealing and borrowing we are nearly there!

Let me explain........

Last year I was very fortunate to able to monitor a local pair of Barn Owl's that had occupied a nest box inside an old outhouse. The landowner (Glynn) very kindly gave me permission to set up my hide (from a safe distance of course) and observe the pair as they went about their business. After weeks of observations the parent owls where then seen taking food (dead rats & rodents) into the barn for what we could then only presume was for their chicks?

After a week or so of continued food deliveries there was no doubt there was chicks in the nest as they could be heard begging for food, but at that time the numbers were unknown? Then one evening we waited until both the parent owls were out hunting before we went up to take a quick look, oh yes five healthy chicks!

A week or so later the local ringing group were invited over, the chicks were all removed from the nest, weighed, rung and quickly returned. Four weeks after this two of the juveniles were observed poking there heads out of the barn window, very healthy looking too!

Daz then came up with the idea of fitting a camera in the box so we could make better observations during the next breeding season. Well after months of planning the task was finally put into action a couple of weeks ago. Daz, Glynn and myself went about the task of fitting a camera in the box and then running a 100 meter lead from the barn to Glynn's house.

Last night we went LIVE for the first time, and hey presto and perfectly on cue one of the Barn Owls appeared in the box! This image below is a screen shot from the live footage as we all sat in our own home watching via the Internet, technology or what!!!! 


At the moment we are not able to stream the live footage as there are still a few technical hitches that need to be overcome, but I am sure it won't be long before it will be embedded into my blog for all to follow?

A big thanks much go to BLABY AUDIO VISUAL for their help with supplying some of the equipment and technical support.

8 comments:

  1. Great work, look forward will keep a lookout for the updates. L

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  2. Hi I believe It was you I met on Coach Road the other day looking for the LSW? I would really appreciate any help on finding any owls around the area, I know this is sensitive information so no problem if you cant disclose. I've only yet seen a short eared & very brief views of a barn owl so these are really high on my list of things to see!

    Andy

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  3. I have put a link and picture to your site on our blog - Calderdale-wildlife.blogspot.com & Cromwellbottom.blogspot.com I hope you don't mind. Your pictures of little owl are exceptional.
    I see that Andy Kiz has already found you.

    Best Wishes

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  4. Thanks for your comments guys and thanks for the link to my site on your Blog! Sorry Kiz, I don't recall meeting up with you! A mistaken identity sadly....

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  5. Brill mate look forward to the stream fingers crossed

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  6. I hope you get the streaming sorted out so that you can show us some choice clips. Well done there!

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  7. Must be a mix up sorry! I met a chap & his wife at coach rd brighouse I thought he said username was streetbidrder and wondered if I misheard when I saw your streetburner username. Any ideas Bruce?!

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  8. Sorry I've just figured it out, streetburner found the blog and passed to Bruce, must not skim read, what a numpty!

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