Sunday 13 September 2020

BARN OWL NESTING SITE IN SAN MIGUEL DE SALINAS, ALICANTE, SPAIN.

 It may not be as beautiful as a timber framed Tudor Barn with a thatched roof or eye-catching curve of a Dutch Barn, but across the road and just above eye level from our top balcony is the home of a beautiful bird. 



When we lived in Cornwall we had Tawnies at the bottom of the Platt and now we are grateful to hear and see a Barn Owl - Lechuza Común. We do know if there is more than one as we hear noises from the nest site after an adult bird has flown away.


Prey must be plentiful as there are numerous pellets scattered around the building. We were only aware of them in the last two months and they seem more active - to us anyway - now the summer heat has declined. It maybe that this is a new nesting site for them, or maybe a new pair have arrived. And maybe it's nesting time?


What stage the egg laying, and hatching are at, we can only guess. Research tells us that the male will hunt and return to the female on the nest. I suspect when the young birds hatch and start to demand more food then we could see two adult birds flying to and fro.


We will watch carefully. In the last week I have seen an adult bird on four occasions and when not seen there is the shrreee sound coming from the site.


If any one has knowledge of what stage the breeding is at then let us know. We will try and get a camera set up, but that will not be easy.

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