Tawny Owl chick in Headington this evening (1st heard on 22nd by me + Tom) - an incredibly early breeding record. In Tawny Owls, incubation period ranges from 27-32.5 days and fledging period from 32-40.5 days (both at their extremities). 'Branching out', as this chick has done, occurs shortly before fledging at around 25-30 days. Assuming the minimum for both incubation period and 'branching out', this places the egg laying date at some point at the end of January. Average first egg-laying date in Tawny Owls is the 23rd March so this is exceptionally early. Of course, the first egg could have been laid even earlier.
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| Tawny Owl chick in near darkness |
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