Watch Gylfie & Finn's barn owl chicks grow into strong-willed individuals, and see how their feisty characters help them through when tragedy strikes.Gylfle & Finn's chicks were named Freya, Griffin and Fern by followers of this channel. There are eight days between the youngest and oldest owlets, which means quite a size difference between them.
Gylfie & Finn
Owl parents Gylfie & Finn are devoted to their care. Dad Finn spends his days hunting and protecting the nest, whilst Gylfie is in charge of carefully tearing up the food and feeding each chick in turn. But despite their workload, this owl couple still find time for intimacy.
At between 3-4 four weeks of age the chicks can regulate their own temperature and start learning to use their bodies. Watch their first hops and see how the eldest Freya can now swallow whole. Also see how feisty she has become - demanding food deliveries from mum and dad with increasing confidence. Gylfie & Finn begin to leave them alone for longer stretches, even spending time looking for new nest in case a second family arrives.
Heatwave & tragedy
Then in July a heatwave means wildlife everywhere is searching for water. And Finn disappears. Three days later my worst fears are confirmed. Finn has been unable to climb out of a cattle water trough and has drowned.
I am devastated. I have made a point of placing floats in water troughs so that this doesn't happen but I missed this one. The barn owl chicks are still only 41, 36 and 33 days old and now Gylfie must raise them alone. I help out with food deliveries and incredibly these young owls continue to thrive.
