Barn owl nest box camera in Bourne reveals bird is ‘missing’

Mystery surrounds a pair of owls that raised chicks in a nest box fitted with hidden cameras.

It was hoped that the couple would return to raise more chicks in the box, at a secret location in Bourne.

But Bob Sheppard from The Len Pick Trust, which built the ‘owl tower’ box and and monitors the equipment, said this year only one owl has been seen.

“I can only surmise that one of the owls has died during the winter, or has gone off with another to form a new couple elsewhere,” he said.

“There have been two barn owl deaths on local roads reported to us, but we don’t know if either was a bird we’ve been following.”

Bob added that one owl has been seen in the box over winter, but pigeons have also nested in there.

“The owl was caught on camera in a corner of the box, surrounded by all this pigeon nest debris,” said Bob.

“Maybe it will find a new partner and lay eggs later in the year. Hopefully this is only a blip.”

Online feeds from the nest box have attracted thousands of viewers from around the world. The Len Pick Trust Owl Project began in 2015.