When I put a up new nest box at Ash Wood, I hoped a kestrel pair would use it. Little did I know that barn owls and little owls also wanted this prime location - and that the little owl would be the fiercest fighter!
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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Nest boxes
Nest boxes are in high demand here at Fotherdale and I’ve been working around the clock to build different designs to suit each bird of prey. For this box, I chose a hollow log and placed it high in a majestic beech tree in the hope a young kestrel would move in.
Kestrel
As planned the young male kestrel was the first to investigate the box and took an immediate liking to it. I watched as he returned day after day, He even scraped out a hollow dent in the bottom of the box to nest in. But there’s one thing this young male was missing: a mate. Despite his desperate calls, no female appeared.
Little owl
The kestrel wasn’t the only one interested in the nest. A little owl also wanted to take a look! And when the kestrel landed at the entrance hole to declare ownership, the little owl lashed out with its talons. Who knew this diminutive species could be so feisty?
Little owl courtship
My cameras followed the little owl inside as it explored the nest. It quickly made itself at home, even bringing in a yellowhammer snack! The next day the little owl too made a nest scrape and even showed off the new site to its mate. I’ve been watching little owls for years, but I’ve never seen this intimate courtship.
Little owl vs kestrel
The kestrel now has some competition and when it returns one evening, the little owl makes short shrift of the kestrel, dragging it from the nest box in one swift move. Little owls are smaller than kestrels, but they really pack a punch!
Barn owl
Despite winning the box, the little owl was unable to persuade its mate to move in and over the next few days, the box stayed empty - until a female barn owl turned up. This female was wearing an ID ring, and, after some investigation, it turned out I knew her. She was one of four rescued chicks I fostered with wild owls in 2017. It was so exciting to see that she had survived. For a few days, it looks as though she was now the new owner of my box.
Kestrel returns
But then the male kestrel came back with a mate and was keen to reclaim the box. But when he discovered there was now a barn owl inside, he beat a hasty retreat.
Barn owl vs little owl
The barn owl spent the next ten days here and just as I was beginning to think she had won the battle of the boxes, she was dragged out of the nest! The attack was over in a flash and it was only when I reviewed the footage that I realised it’s was the little owl again!
Fierce little owl
Who would have thought a little owl could take on a barn owl? This species is half the size of a barn owl, but it is clearly fiercely territorial -even though this owl isn't using this box, he's not prepared to let anyone one else have it.
Battle of the boxes
The battles over this nest box have been absolutely amazing. It’s given me an insight into how competitive this time of year is and just shows how much demand there is for these new nest sites. I'm working on making a new box to see if I can ease the fighting!
ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!
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© Robert E Fuller
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