Gylfie the barn owl only laid two eggs this year, which is unusual for her. However she is now around eight years old and it has also been a very dry spring.
Gylfie's eggs are late & there are only two
Barn owl pair Gylfie & Dryer are now in their third breeding year and this year Gylfie's eggs arrived a little later than usual. There are also only two eggs, which is unusual. She normally lays clutches of between three and five. The weather this spring was particularly dry, leaving the grass scorched and affecting vole populations, which could be a contributing factor. Also, Gylfie is now around eight years old and as a rule birds are less productive as they age.
This film shows her brooding each egg and the heartening moment the male Dryer visits to inspect the new eggs. Watch the way he actually taps one of them. The first chick is due to hatch from July 3rd.
