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Barn Owl webcam Shamraig Caillagh-oie

We are delighted to report that, as in 2018, our pair of Manx Barn Owls successfully fledged three youngsters during the summer of 2019.

After their early autumn absence, the pair have returned to adopt the nestbox as a roosting site for the winter season. Various clandestine incursions into the box by rodents and Jackdaws have offered gripping viewing.

We remain most grateful to Adam and Bill Denard, Michael Howland, the landowners, Sure Isle of Man and the generosity of a number of individual donors for making this exciting project possible.

See recorded video clips below >>

Find out more about the Manx Barn Owl project and why it is important >>

Two live video cameras

NB. The live images below might take a few seconds to render. If the live images do not display, try clicking on the 'Play' button (►) at the bottom of each frame.

Hint: Daytime can be best for seeing the bird(s) as they roost in the box during the day and hunt at night.

1) Below: Inside the nest box

2) Below: Outside the nest box


Radio coverage

Listen to an edited version of Bob Carswell's interview with Manx Barn Owl Project Director Adam Denard, featured in Shiaght Laa on Manx Radio (12 April 2018):


Chronology

Our Barn Owls are wild birds. They are free to come and go. If you are looking at the live feed above and the nestbox is empty, or if you simply wish to enjoy some of the action we have previously recorded, check out the images and video clips below the timeline table.

DateTimeEvent/activity
LatestAt the beginning of the 2022 breeding season, Mr and Mrs Jackdaw took up residence in the box. We shall leave them in peace, and leave you to enjoy their antics, but hope to affix a 'Corvid guard' to the box to enable the owls to return for 2023.
11 Jul 202105:20An owl came into the nest box this morning and seem quite settled, before having to fight to keep out the local Jackdaws.
10 Jul 202123:18Well, after quite a hiatus, a Barn Owl has returned to the box!
31 Mar 2021Sad news. One of our fledglings from 2018 was been picked up moribund and had died at the vets 🙁
Below: Season 3, 2020----------------------------------
Wed 03 Jun 202023:38She's back again. Hopefully this will become a habit.
Tue 02 Jun 202010:39She's back! Though only briefly, and probably wondering what an earth is going on with all those twigs! It's been a long absence but it's good to know she is still interested in the box. Gives us lots of hope that she'll find a new mate and return for next year's nesting season.

Catch up with the latest 'Season 2020' videos below.
After some encouraging early signs, the Barn Owls have not nested this year.
A female was in occupance early in the season and tussled with the local Jackdaws who had a jealous eye on the nest box. After an encouraging appearance in the box in January, the male owl did not reappear thereafter and the female appears to have relinquished the nesting box for the time being.
Wed 15 Apr 2020Well it's getting very late in the season now for the owls to repossess the box and start nesting. The male has not been seen since January and the female has made only infrequent visits, while the Jackdaws have continued lobbing in sticks and twigs - though they haven't had the decency or courage to stick around and actually use the box themselves for nesting! Cowards!
Below: Season 2, 2019----------------------------------
Thu 28 Nov 2019And while the rodents make their quick escape, both owls return to the box!
Wed 27 Nov 2019While the owls are away, the mice will play. A couple of brave rodents investigate the household.
Wed 02 Oct 2019Now two (adults?) back in the box.
Fri 20 Sep 2019After a few fleeting comings and goings, one of the owls is now back in the box.
Wed 24 Jul 201905:00We have an empty box. To quote Adam Denard, Project Director, "Six kids in two years is above average".
Thu 18 Jul 2019The owls feature in a full-page spread in the Manx Independent.
Sun 14 Jul 2019One of the youngsters makes its maiden flight out of the box.
Thu 11 Jul 201921:56Two fledglings now exercising on the shelf outside the nestbox.
Thu 11 Jul 2019Number one child is getting adventurous, venturing as far as the door platform.
Fri 21 Jun 201922:54Mum brings in the first of six food drops overnight.
Tue 04 Jun 201907:15The fourth hatchling has died, leaving just three (half) of the brood remaining. Is the extended bad weather having an effect?
Fri 31 May 201923:06It seems clear there are just four hatchlings remaining and the fourth one isn't looking too well.
Fri 31 May 2019Oh dear, we have lost at least one, if not two, of the fledglings. Female has left the box several times and the male has put in only erratic appearances. Is something up?
Sun 26 May 201904:02Six! That's the complete brood, all six eggs having produced hatchlings. Five and six are very much younger (smaller) than their siblings and it's hard not to worry that they'll have a tough time of it. Good luck little ones!
Thu 23 May 201907:41Five!
Sat 18 May 201920:17Four! Quicker than Liverpool goals against Barcelona, hatchling number four breaks its way into the world.
Fri 17 May 2019Just look at the state of that nestbox. And I thought my household was untidy!
Thu 16 May 201917:17Three! This is rapid fire … welcome to the world number three.
Tue 14 May 201915:56Two! Second hatchling is seen on camera.
Sun 12 May 201905:30One! First hatchling appears.
Wed 24 Apr 201918:49◉◉◉◉◉◉ And then there were six (eggs).
Sun 21 Apr 201922:07◉◉◉◉◉ Now five eggs.
Wed 17 Apr 201919:12◉◉◉◉ Ta dah! Egg number four comes into view.
Mon 15 Apr 201903:04◉◉◉ First sight of the third egg.
Fri 12 Apr 201916:02◉◉ Egg number two reveals itself.
Wed 10 Apr 201906:48◉ Result!! The first of this season's eggs is laid - two weeks earlier than last year.
Sat 06 Apr 2019The Manx BirdLife owl squad quietly install a second camera to provide external views of the nestbox - coming online soon.
Sat 30 Mar 201905:00And again … the owls arrive back and eject the Jackdaws.
Fri 29 Mar 2019For the third time, the Jackdaws attempt to move in.
Thu 28 Mar 201916:00Fight! Once again the owls return and aggresively eject the interlopers.
Thu 28 Mar 2019For the past week, the owls have sat tight to prevent the Jackdaws returning. But on leaving the box, the Jackdaws once again make their move, bringing sticks into the box with them.
Thu 21 Mar 201916:14Fight! The squatting Jackdaw is forceably evicted from the nestbox by one of the owls.
Thu 21 Mar 201909:02A pair of Jackdaws is attempting to hijack the nestbox.
Thu 21 Mar 201903:00After sporadic appearances, Mr and Mrs are reunited in the box.
Wed 27 Feb 2019Mr is back in the box. Down goes a large Longtail and up comes a pellet.
Sun 24 Feb 201912:07At last! Mr and Mrs are back in the box and have settled in for the day. Hopefully it's a sign of more continued presence as the build-up to this year's breeding season begins.
Fri 22 Feb 201906:09After an absence of 23 days, one of the owls returned this morning.
Thu 21 Feb 2019Where are they? The owls have not been seen for the last 22 days.
Wed 20 Feb 2019Analysis of pellets from the vicinity of the owl nestbox reveals 2 Wood Mice, 1 Mouse sp., 1 Longtail.
Wed 30 Jan 2019No sign of either owl today.
Tue 01 Jan 2019Happy New Year to all our owlcam viewers!
Wed 26 Dec 201808:21Both owls are now back in the box. A nice Christmas present for all our viewers.
Sun 09 Dec 201809:13With the male still in the box, a brave Wren with maggot pays a fleeting visit!
Sun 09 Dec 201808:30Male returns to the nestbox with item of prey.
Fri 09 Nov 2018After a prolonged absence, one of the owls has been seen around the nesting site.
Below: Season 1, 2018-----------------------------------
Fri 03 Aug 201805:20Nestbox is again empty with all the owls out and about. Two of the birds had returned (from hunting?) by 06:15.
Wed 01 Aug 201822:16For the first time, all three juveniles are out of the nextbox.
Tue 31 Jul 201821:31One of the juveniles seen out and about around the buildings.
Tue 31 Jul 201808:00All juveniles back in the nestbox.
Tue 31 Jul 201800:32Two juveniles leave the nestbox.
Sun 29 Jul 2018One juvenile temporarily leaves the nestbox this evening.
Tue 24 Jul 201820:30One juvenile temporarily leaves the nestbox.
Sun 01 Jul 2018Planned downtime for maintenance work.
Fri 22 Jun 201804:30Fourth hatchling died. Three hatchlings now surviving.
Mon 18 Jun 2018Fifth hatchling has perished. Four hatchlings now surviving.
Sun 10 Jun 201808:00Fifth egg hatched. Remaining unhatched egg is possibly the first one to have been laid.
Thu 07 Jun 201813:00Fourth egg hatched.
Sun 03 Jun 201804:00Third egg hatched.
Fri 01 Jun 201811:30Second egg hatched.
Wed 30 May 201802:00First egg hatched!
Thu 10 May 2018◉◉◉◉◉◉ Sixth egg observed.
Mon 07 May 2018◉◉◉◉◉ Fifth egg observed.
Fri 04 May 2018◉◉◉◉ Fourth egg observed.
Wed 02 May 2018◉◉◉ Third egg observed.
Tue 01 May 2018Egg laying featured on Manx Radio’s 6pm news programme.
Sun 29 Apr 2018◉◉ Second egg observed.
Fri 27 Apr 2018◉ First egg laid.
Thu 12 Apr 2018Featured on Manx Radio's Shiaght Laa with Bob Carswel (Adam Denard and Neil Morris).
Mon 09 Apr 2018Owl cam publicly launched.
Thu 08 Mar 2018Detailed records of regular occupation start.
Tue 20 Feb 2018Just two separate visits recorded today.
Tue 19 Dec 201713:46First inspection by one of the Barn Owl pair.
Mon 18 Dec 2017Streaming computer installed.
Fri 01 Dec 2017Nest box erected on site.
Video clips and images archive

14 April 2020. Jackdaw attempted coup

Above video clip: Oh no you don't! - this morning's failed Jackdaw attempt to unseat Mrs Barn Owl


05 April 2020. Jackdaw eviction

Above video clip: If you love those twigs so much, build your own home


14 March 2020. Evening departure and next morning return

Above video clip: Simultaneous views from inside and outside the nest box


12 December 2019. I'm a celebrity get me out of here!

I

Above image: 'I'm hoping the householders don't return before I find the exit...'


28 November 2019. After a bit of a hiatus, the successful pair return

Two Manx Barn owls return

Above image: Two owls return to check on the household


11 November 2019. Both birds are now back

Above video clip: Good to see both Barn Owls back in the nest box this morning after there being just one present last week


13 October 2019. Adults departing for night time hunt

Above video clip: Lots of nocturnal activity in the barn


20 July - 20 September 2019. Early flights of Class of 2019

Above video clip: This season's three Amigos learn to fly


18 July 2019. We're in the news!

Manx Barn Owls in the news

Above image: Many thanks to the Manx Independent for this coverage 


13 July 2019. First flight, like it or not!

Above video clip: Falling off the box and learning to fly


12 July 2019. Exploring outside the box

Above video clip: Exploring outside the box


16 May 2019. First clear sight of number three

Third hatchling of the 2019 Manx Barn Owl project

Above image: Welcome to the world #3


14 May 2019. Second hatchling of 2019

Second hatchling of the 2019 Manx Barn Owl project

Above image: Hatchling 2.2019 coming out of the egg


12 May 2019. First hatchling of this year's brood

First hatchling of the 2019 Manx Barn Owl project

Above image: First sight of hatchling 1.2019


09 December 2018. A fleeting visit from 'Jenny' Wren

Above video clip (slowed down): A Wren appears briefly (with maggot) before it gets the 'death scare'
and decides that 'discretion is definitely the better part of valour'


09 December 2018. Back in the box

Above video clip: After a long period of absence since the youngsters fledged last summer,
the male returns to the nestbox


31 July 2018. Out in the open

Juvenile Manx Barn Owl

Above image: One of the youngsters was photographed tonight out of the nestbox


14 July 2018. Good hunting

Owl prey items

Above image: There's now plenty of evidence of what food the owlets are being brought by the parents


03 June 2018. Hatchling #3 greets the world

Third Barn Owl hatchling 03 June 2018
Above image: Three hatchlings. It's going to be a busy household


01 June 2018. Meet hatchling #2

Second hatchling 01 June 2018
Above image: And then there were two ... hatchlings


30 May 2018. Meet hatchling #1

First Barn Owl hatchling 30 May 2018
Above image: Our first glimpse of hatchling number one


10 May 2018. Six eggs!

Six Barn owl eggs
Above image: The clutch of six eggs


02 May 2018. Three eggs now! Tree oohyn nish!

Above video clip: Now three eggs.


27 April 2018. We have eggs! Ta oohyn ain!

Above video clip: The first egg.


09 March 2018. Early morning mating

Above video clip: Early morning mating.


08 March 2018. Early evening bonding

Above video clip: Two birds! First mating.


08 March 2018. Late afternoon domestics

Above video clip: Longtail meal time.


08 March 2018. Morning activity

Above video clip: 'Here's looking at you kid!'


20 February 2018. Late evening inspection

Above video clip: This new carpet looks interesting!


19 December 2017. Early afternoon visitor

Above video clip: Checking out the new pad?