Burrowing owl chicks born at Birdland for first time in 25 years
The wildlife attraction say their birth is a "milestone"
Two burrowing owl chicks have hatched at Birdland Park & Gardens, marking the first successful birth of this owl species at the park in 25 years.
The wildlife attraction in Bourton-on-the-Water has seen many attempts by its resident burrowing owl pair to produce chicks, but until now none have successfully hatched.
This year, the owls surprised Birdland's keepers by nesting in an open area of their enclosure rather than using the artificial burrows provided.
A clutch of five eggs was laid, with two chicks hatching under the care of the breeding pair.
Breeding milestone at Birdland
Head of Living Collections Alistair Keen, who has worked at Birdland for 25 years, said:
"We're absolutely delighted. In all the years I've worked at Birdland, we've never had burrowing owl chicks hatch, so it's a real milestone for us.
"The biggest surprise was where they decided to nest.
"We'd spent years offering them different burrows because that's what the species naturally prefers, but this time they completely ignored them and nested out in the open.
"It just goes to show that wildlife doesn't always read the rule book."
Viewing the chicks
Birdland say the chicks are growing well under the watchful care of both parents and are beginning to explore the area around the nest.
To help the nervous adult birds feel secure while they rear their young, Birdland has temporarily closed off a small section of the enclosure to visitors.
The attraction say this is especially important as the adults can be unsettled by dogs but visitors can still enjoy excellent views of the chicks and watch the family as they settle into life together.
About burrowing owls
Burrowing owls are native to North and South America and are unique in their preference for ground nesting, often using burrows.
Unlike most owls, they are often active during the day and are known for their long legs, expressive yellow eyes and comical bobbing behaviour.