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Tawny owl Luna has just lost her mate, Bomber. Her calls attract a new male. They soon make an extraordinary discovery. This isn't a stranger. It's Shadow, their son. And he's about to become Luna's new partner. Luna has lived at Fotherdale since 2017. She arrived here as a rescue. And was raised by Bomber. He became her partner in 2019. Together, they raised 12 chicks. And became foster parents to the rescued owlets I gave them.
Sadly, Bomber disappeared in 2025. And I wondered if Luna could continue their legacy. Then, just weeks after Bomber's disappearance, my cameras caught this new male exploring a nest scrape in at Luna's home, Beacham. Luna's back. She seems to know she's had a visitor. And calls out in the hope it was her missing partner, Bomber. But, there's no answer. She rearranges the nest. Not by Bomber, but by the new male. He arrives at Beachstone and calls her before jumping to the branch.
He leaves and she gives chase. They return together and Shadow tries leading her into the nest. But later, he steals food from Luna's nest. Not a good idea. She'll only accept him if he can provide for her. Shadow arrives bearing a gift, a rat. And gifts her his catch, the first of many. And their bonds grow. And to my surprise, I discover from his ID ring, this new male is Shadow. Luna and Bomber's own offspring from 2024. Without the BTO ring we put on, I would never have known. As they're so closely related, I'm intrigued to see whether their eggs will be viable.
It's mid-February, and Luna is roosting inside beach stump. Preening, scraping, and making sure the nest is fit for purpose. All signs she's preparing to lay. And with the knowledge this new male can provide, it's time for Luna to start her brood. But at night, she leaves to stretch her wings. Shadow arrives, sensing Luna is not home, Until her return, he sets off to hunt, while she settles. She eats outside to keep her nest clean and tidy.
Soon, another delivery. And then another. Luna puts this vole to one side. She must be full. Later that night, Luna lays a second egg. She retrieves the cashed vole from earlier. He's off the hook for now. Early the next morning, Luna has a visitor. Jasper, Fowlers resident male kestrel. They don't stay for long, but Luna makes sure they've gone. She knows these falcons are hunting for a new home. That night, a spider catches Luna's attention.
It's less of a meal, more of a light bite while she waits. But she'll still need more than one if she is to continue laying. While he's out hunting, more visitors. This time, Father Dale's resident male barn owl, Dryer, and his partner, Gilfi. She heads into the nest to attack. During the scuffle, I can see the third egg has been laid. Thankfully, neither owls or eggs appear damaged. Over the next couple of days, Shadow is on top form delivering prey. These four eggs weigh almost a third of her body weight. She needs to refuel. But when he returns empty-handed, she
chases him out insisting he goes back out hunting. He returns with an earthworm. Not her favorite. But she's hungry. And calls out. It's her role to keep the eggs warm and safe. This dark dove's looking for a nest just like this. But it's no threat to a tawny owl. But the kestrels, Jenny and Jasper, are back. And they mean business. But she's no match for Luna, who's twice her weight. He's determined, but he's even smaller than Jenny. I hope the eggs haven't been damaged. That evening, when Luna leaves, I'm relieved. Not only are the eggs intact, I can hear cheeping. With chicks on the way, she wants to be prepared for an early feed.
This rat will do nicely. She's nearly at the end of a month-long incubation, and I just can't wait to see her eggs finally hatch. We were all devastated when Luna lost Bomber. But, it's been so incredible to see her new partner, Shadow, step up. And see them welcome their first four eggs together. With them being so closely related, I wasn't sure if the eggs would be viable. But, hearing the cheeps from them, I'm now certain they are. Join me next time when these eggs start to hatch. And Luna and Shadow work together to raise their first brood of owlets.
