The 2026 nesting season started early, with a first pair beginning egg-laying on 10th March.
Box checking during June revealed 32 nest attempts, with eggs already laid at half of these by end-March. Two of these attempts failed at the chick stage, possibly as a result of the excessively high temperatures in June. And chicks at several nests are already close to fledging.
So far 79 chicks have been ringed at 25 nests, an average of 3 chicks per brood. The remaining five nests will be revisited when the chicks are older.
Overall 2026 is shaping up to be the second best nesting year for Barn Owls, behind only 2024. And with first broods already fledging there is a possibility we'll be seeing some second brood attempts later this year.
