I had a lengthy telephone conversation with a fellow birder who also has a nest box project going on, mainly down on the Gwent levels. We both agreed that this seasons Barn owl breeding season could very well be delayed due to the amount of rain we have experienced.
As most of you are aware Barn Owls can only hunt in dry conditions so with it being so wet hunting opportunities have been very limited. Female Barn Owls have to be in peak condition before they can breed and a lack of food can affect this.
So a good friend of mine who is a wildlife photographer actually forwarded some encouraging signs of a male Barn owl successfully hunting. Looking at the footage I am confident it is a field vole which is a Barn Owls main food source. Fletch did mention that the Barn Owls were hunting during the dry spells.
There is a very good chance of spotting Barn Owls hunting during the daytime with limited hunting spells due to overnight wet periods.This footage was filmed by Fletch adjacent to a Barn with one of my nest boxes inside. The Barn has lots of fresh pellets which means that the Barn is being used. Fingers crossed for this site.
I would like to say a huge diolch to Fletch for his time and patience producing quality images and footage.