This year was Gylfie and Dryer's first year together, find out how they met and how Gylfie had to teach Dryer the rules of courtship.
Barn owl pair
Gylfie is a highly experienced female barn owl, having raised six broods. Her previous partner, Finn sadly passed away in July 2022, but within weeks she finds a new male.After examining the ID tag on his leg, we learn that Gylfie's new partner grew up here at Fotherdale. Rescued from a corn dryer, I cared for him alongside Gylfie’s previous partner, Finn.
Barn owl courtship
By January the pair are deep into their relationship, preening and exploring nest sites together. But when a pair of tawny owls interrupt the love in, it's Gylfie who fights them off. And the role reversal doesn't end there. When Dryer seems uninterested in mating, she takes over by mounting dryer.In order to impress during courtship, male barn owls deliver prey to female. But it seems Dryer hasn’t got the memo! And here Gylfie takes charge yet again.
Egg laying
But, at least the mating attempts seem to have gone to plan... Over the next few days, Gylfie looks like she is preparing to lay. I see her nest scraping, become restless, and then sit. Finally, at the end of May, she stands up and reveals her first precious egg. Watch Dryers reaction when he finally realises! Gylfie quickly sits back down. Barn owls start incubating eggs from the very first one laid and this one needs to stay warm for the next 30 days. Next time It’s been fantastic to see Gylfie find a new mate in Dryer and for them to welcome their first egg together.
