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Tawny owls Bomber and Luna have just welcomed their first chick & there’s still more to come! It’s a huge moment for the pair. For the past 2 years, their eggs failed to hatch. Watch them care for their own two owlets & welcome a foster chick.
Luna’s first owl chick
It’s April 6, and this tiny owlet has just hatched. Its mother, Luna, arrives and carefully tucks it under her feathers. The chick uses so much energy breaking out of the egg, it now needs food. Only an hour after hatching it has its first ever feed!
Parenting roles
Luna and Bomber work hard to care for their chick. Female Luna broods the owlet to keep it warm, barely leaving the nest. Male Bomber’s provides food for the family from dusk until dawn. But this isn’t his only role, when he’s not hunting, he spends his days watching the nest in the nearby trees for intruders. Will eggs 2, 3 & 4 ever hatch? I keep a close eye out for signs of the next eggs hatching. But when the second and third eggs are overdue, it becomes clear they won’t hatch. Luna’s only hope for another chick of her own lies with the fourth egg, which thankfully arrives on 11th April.
Bomber finally meets the chicks
It’s now nearly a week since the first chick hatched, and two days since the second, but Bomber still hasn’t had a chance to meet his owlets. He’s a dedicated father but caring for the chicks is Luna’s role and she’s so protective. One night, Bomber lures Luna out of the nest and takes his chance to see his owlets alone. Bomber hoots to greet them. Luna could be back at any moment, so he wastes no time, gently preening the chicks. He listens carefully for Luna’s return; he doesn’t want to be caught in the act!
Tawny owl chicks grow fast
We decide to name them Rocket & Nova. Oldest chick, Rocket, is now 10 days it’s starting to stand and showing off pin feathers developing along its wing. By 2 weeks old, Rocket’s eyes are open and it bobs its head, taking in the nest for the first time. By 16 days old , it does it’s first wing flap.
New rescued chick Solar joins the family
A 2-3 week old rescued tawny owl chick is brought to Fotherdale for Robert to put in with Luna’s chicks and brought up as a wild owl alongside the others. It was found in Elvington, York UK.
Bird ID
Registered ringer Jean Thorpe, gives all the chicks ID rings so that they can be tracked throughout their lives. Owls only have simple counting abilities, so Luna seems to have no idea she’s gained a chick, she’s accepted Solar immediately and Rocket and Nova are happy to have a new sibling!
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