Barn owls have been living and nesting at Bowood for many years. It is not uncommon to see solitary females like this owl, defending territory outside of the breeding season. Quite often during this period an owl can have several different roosting places. As the breeding season approaches in April the nest site will become the focus for the bird’s display which takes the form of an advertising call every few seconds.
With their characteristic heart-shaped face, jet black eyes, and white under parts, the barn owl is one of Britain’s most familiar wild birds. The barn owl is an expert hunter with a remarkable sense of vision and hearing that enables it to find its prey with total accuracy. Small rodents make up most of its diet. Swallowed whole any indigestible parts are regurgitated in the form of pellets. Barn owls are usually active in the evening, early morning or at night. They use holes in trees, undisturbed buildings or nest boxes such as this at Bowood to create an unlined nest.
