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by Trisha Thompson
January 27th. A normal survey day on my tetrad for the CAWOS wintering and breeding bird atlas. Investigating a tree hole, I was surprised to see what looked like tawny owl feathers lying in the hole. January 28th. A friend who is a BTO licensed ringer went with me to investigate. An adult tawny owl flew out of the hole; she was sitting on three eggs. The following week the weather turned cold and snowy at times, I was worried about her, but she was sitting peacefully at each visit that I made. I did not disturb her but I was concerned about her and the eggs. An unexpected visit to Canada meant that I could not visit again until the last day in February. February 28th. The adult was still sitting, but a fluffy owlet was seen climbing over her back. I would think that the chick was only a few days old. March 3rd. Adult was still sitting- no sign of young, but I could just make out white fluff under her belly. March 10th. Took my ringer friend back to see progress. To our surprise, the adult was nowhere to be seen, but one owlet sat in the hole - quite large and obviously ready to be ringed. There was no sign of the other two eggs or any other young, but this youngster looked very well and healthy. We think that at this early date, food may have been difficult to find for three chicks and the eldest, strongest owlet had consumed its younger siblings. March 17th. The owlet had grown considerably in a week and was beginning to get brown facial disc. March 24th. It had fledged. Is this the
earliest breeding tawny owl in Cheshire, or do you know better?
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