Colin Shawyer's latest update on the breeding season - 4th June 2008

To all BOMP participants...

Further early checks at Barn Owl sites have revealed that occupancy levels are high this year throughout much of England with about 75% of pairs breeding. Clutch sizes are slightly lower than last year and most eggs hatched during the last week of May.

Most pairs started to lay their eggs during the third and fourth week of April which is close to the average egg-laying date for Barn Owls during the last ten years. There were however, a few exceptions in late March.

Numerous single birds and pairs are also on site but are not currently breeding. It is likely that there will be some late egg-laying in late June and early July by first-year birds.

To view live owl cam in East Anglia go to www.thecrownestate.co.uk

Colin Shawyer et al.