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Post by Ali on Apr 19, 2011 12:57:58 GMT 1
Well at least we think they are owls (HelloThere can u confirm???) Was walking back from a party lateish on Sat night when, in the dark, I'd heard an unusual sound coming from the ground near the barn ..... remarked to Fli that I didn't know what it was..... Yesterday we took a peek when coming past in the car and spotted what we thought was one baby owl. Just popped up for a sneaky look and there are 3 baby owls !!! They're together on the grass (as you can see) against the wall of the barn. Right next to the little track/lane that is shared by us and our neighbours. Our neighbours know the owls are there too. It's now Tuesday, and they are still looking ok. Well 2 are, not sure about the third didn't want to stay with them for v long in case upset them. Should we do anything? If so what should we do? YIKES!!
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Post by ianh on Apr 19, 2011 13:25:55 GMT 1
Leave them alone - they wuld probably be dead by now if they weren't getting fed. And be very careful when you go near them - years ago, my ex-wife had her ear slashed open by an irate parent owl in a very similar situation; we'd had to move the youngster off a city street into the garden for safety. You could ring the LPO (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux) - bretagne.lpo.fr/ or contact these - www.planetepassion.eu/_index.htmIf you do have to foster them - cat food will do, but must be mixed with dog or cat hair to aid digestion - I had to nurse a Little Owl back to health a few years ago - it was the best feeling ever taking him back to where I found him and he flew away. These look like Barn Owls
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Post by mirabelle on Apr 19, 2011 13:27:35 GMT 1
Are'nt they gorgeous?
Is'nt there someone on the dreaded AI who knows all about this kind of thing? Either that or on Living France I think theres a chap called Chris who is very well-informed about all things wildlife.
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Post by Madame Moorhen on Apr 19, 2011 13:35:44 GMT 1
Remember d his website name www.planetepassion.eu/You can find him on Total France as pp-Chris or sometimes he is known as Chris pp in other places.
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Post by HelloThere on Apr 19, 2011 13:56:29 GMT 1
Hi Ali,
Just got your e-mail. DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Usually this happens when they are learning to fly, thye're called 'branchers' at this stage and are probably getting fed!! I think they are Barn Owls from the picture probably a couple of months old. We have two babies at the moment (captive bred) and they can actually walk quite a distance when they want to. Just keep an eye on them for any of their natural predators but I would think their parents are doing that at the moment anyway. Keep us posted.
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Post by Ali on Apr 19, 2011 14:24:38 GMT 1
They are gorgeous, I just hope nobody eats them Just went to the Post Office so took camera with longer lens on........
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Post by Ali on Apr 19, 2011 14:26:15 GMT 1
They are all moving around a bit, getting in the shade. Panting alot tho, it's 24 deg here and they are mostly in the full sun. Should I not put water out there for them?
and here are the other two......
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Post by ianh on Apr 19, 2011 14:34:57 GMT 1
You could put water down but, honestly, be very careful when you are near them - the parents will be watching.
Didn't you know you had barn owls in your barn?
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Post by thekaraokeman on Apr 19, 2011 16:52:14 GMT 1
They don’t look feathered to me, has the nest come adrift?
In fact I don’t think they have a nest as such, just a scrape!
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Post by Ali on Apr 19, 2011 18:28:47 GMT 1
It is all rather odd, the only place they could have 'fallen out of' is about 7m off the ground and I would have thought they'd have gone splat. Why all 3 are down there too I have no idea! They are pretty 'furry' still. It isn't our barn, it's aour neighbours, usually a pair of Kestrels (or summink) nest there but they haven't this year. It remains a mystery, will keep a far away watch out later this eve to see if there's any activity. Spring-Watch has arrived in thirty-five
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