Yesterday, my old mate Steve Skillman started his retirement. I look forward to him having more time to share nature with me.
In May 2010, Steve took me and my daughter Lara to a wood in Aargau where Tawny owls (Strix aluco) were breeding in nest boxes. Before they can fly, the young owlets show their faces and will soon jump from the nest either to land on a branch or drop down to the forest floor.
Leaving the nest can be precarious when the box is so far off the ground...
Wow - had almost forgotten that day - great pictures, thanks Malcolm - it was a great experience. Just last week in another village, a man went to help an owlet that had fallen out of the nestbox. He was instantly attacked and mauled on the head by the adult. Seems like this is a normal situation - the adults will feed the owlet on the ground for days or even weeks and defend them with their lives. If you ever find an owlet on the ground, beat a HASTY RETREAT!!
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