Last night I had at least one barn owl back. Joy so great I dare not really believe I have a pair or that they will be there tonight – but I think I do, and I really hope they will be.
I went outside as usual about 8pm and I heard it. A long rhythmic wheeze. It is a version the typical food-begging cry of a young bird. It is the cry a female barn owl gives so that her mate will come and feed her: a pair-bonding thing which also improves her bodily condition so she can breed successfully. it was coming from the barn-owl breeding box. it stopped when the beam of my head-light hit the box, and started as I tactfully looked away.
I was overcome with joy, and rushed straight into the house, where I walked straight into the newly painted cupboard. I then got the paint off myself and back onto the cupboard, and went to feed the ponies – still with my mind wholly on the barn owl, so the little mare took full advantage and went into the yard (forbidden territory) and took some persuading to come back in. Sometime later I realised that I had also left the pony feed for today to soak with the tap running full, and by that time I had a sizeable flood and feed flotsam and jetsam.
But who cares?It looks as,it looks very much as if, the barn owls have arrived.
Working Hypothesis 
Reason enough to be distracted in my book, Rosemary. I do hope they breed successfully.
It must be the time of year. I posted about breeding birds today too. 🙂
I love the manifestations of excitement, and how many creatures got to share in it. Presumably the spilled soaked seed with be a nice treat for the breeding mice, who will be a nice treat for… (oh wait. I don’t want to think about that bit.)