The MRWMD staff would like to provide an update to all those tuning into MRWMD’s Barn Owl Cam and interested in the lives of the owls who were making the MRWMD nesting box their home this breeding season. Luna (mother owl) and her mate had a clutch of six eggs which Luna had been incubating.
The week of April 5, it was observed that Luna’s mate had not returned to the nesting box after several days. Reason is unknown. The wildlife biologist did not think he would return. Thus, Luna began leaving the clutch of eggs to hunt. During this time one egg hatched, but unfortunately the chick did not survive, we believe, either due to cold or hunger.
As it is the male that provides the food during the incubation period, we realized that Luna would need support, so approval was requested from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to supplement Luna’s food supply. We received approval soon after, but unfortunately, were not able to begin the supplemental feeding before the clutch of eggs lost their viability.
Luna has now left the nest.
We will remain hopeful that Luna may return and be able to produce a second clutch of eggs this spring, as she did last year.
We thank you all for your interest and concern. The barn owl is a beautiful and important environmental steward. They provide environmental services to us, so let’s help protect them!
When we use rodenticides, we put owls and other animals at risk of being poisoned and dying. Please remember to only use safe and non-poisonous means of pest control.
You can learn additional ways to protect the barn owl and other owl species at
https://www.hungryowls.org/rescue-diaries/2019/9/12/10-things-you-can-do-to-help-owls
You can learn more about barn owl ecology at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/lifehistory