Film | Barn owls begin new family | Gylfie & Dryer

Barn owls Gylfie & Dryer have five eggs in their second clutch of the year. Watch as three chicks hatch out and a new barn owl family is made.

Barn owl chicks begin to hatch

As the male Dryer delivers a vole, he hears the sound of chicks calling from inside the eggs. The hatching process is beginning.  The next morning Gylfie begins to tear up old barn owl pellets to make a soft landing for her chicks. This is a common behaviour before barn owl chicks hatch. Then as this pair leave the nest for a break, the 'pipping', or cracking, egg is visible.

New barn owl dad is besotted

Dryer isn't aware a chick has hatched until Gylfie leaves the nest for a second time and as he peers down he looks infatuated. He even appears to look up at the camera, as if to check if we've spotted it too! But then the pair hear jackdaws and rush to the entrance to defend the nest. As they do so, Gylfie accidently knocks the chick across the nest! Brooding barn owl chicks Gylfie returns inside and tucks the chick safely back under her. She is actually very careful around her chicks and eggs and spends some time carefully rearranging.

Second chick is late

The average incubation time for this pair is 31 days and chicks normally hatch every 2-3 days, but it’s five days until a second chick hatches. Gylfie removes the egg shell from underneath her, offering a chance to view both chicks together. It is sweet to watch Dryer become chief 'baby'-sitter, in charge of watching over the chicks whenever Gylfie leaves the nest. It’s a further four days before the third chick hatches, and although I will never be 100% certain, the dates of hatching match those predicted for eggs one, three and five. No more chicks Although five eggs were laid, only three have hatched and even though Gylfie continues to incubate, I think this family is now complete.