A female Barn Owl chick, from the only known tree nest in Co. Kerry, about 10 days from fledging. Near Tralee (M.O'Clery).
Barn owls can nest in hollow cavities in trees although this type of nest site accounts for only about 5% of all known nest sites nationally. The percentage is likely to be somewhat higher in reality as tree nest sites are extremely difficult to detect, and most survey effort necessarily concentrates on ruined or derelict buildings. Co. Kerry had no known active tree nests last year, but another has just been found, near Tralee. There were at least two chicks present, though one or two more might be further inside the cavity. A nest camera will help solve that question in the coming days.
The only Barn Owl tree nest currently known in Co. Kerry. The nest entrance is the large cavity at the top of the nearest ladder. The cavity drops down inside the hollow trunk for about 2 metres. At least two chicks were present (M.O'Clery).
If you see a Barn Owl, please let us know michaeloclery@gmail.com
