Bomber has been a part of the Fotherdale story for more than a decade. He's as aggressive as his name implies. But my cameras have revealed his softer side. He and Luna have raised generations of owlets here at Beech Stump. And together they've fostered countless rescue chicks.
New male
But after spotting Luna with a new male, I was left wondering what had happened Bomber. Bomber hasn't been seen since for eight weeks and this new male has been making his presence felt ever since. He's been spotted on the feeding post and courting Luna - even joining forces with her to chase barn owl Gyflie away from the territory. At this time of year territories are fiercely contested and often when an established male disappears, an opportunity opens for a newcomer to step in.
With Bomber gone, we now enter a new chapter of uncertainty. At the moment we don't know who this new male is. However, he's wearing a BTO identification ring so it's only a matter of time before we can read his number. And who knows whether Luna will accept him as a new partner
