We've already seen the discovery of Ireland's oldest wild Barn Owl, in Co. Kerry this week (see post below).
We've also witnessed the first brood of five chicks for Co. Kerry, at a Barn Owl nest near Tralee last week. Only the third such instance ever recorded in Ireland.
And yesterday, another record was broken with the discovery of the first brood of six chicks for Ireland, at a nest site near Castlemaine, Co. Kerry.
The six Barn Owl nestlings, near Castlemaine, 11th July 2015 (M.O'Clery under licence from NPWS).
The location of the nest site, near Castlemaine, July 2015. The derelict two-story country house is so covered with ivy that it is difficult to discern it as a building at all at any distance. There is a Barn Owl nest box high in the rafters of the central part of the building (M.O'Clery under licence from NPWS).
Ringing of chicks in Co. Kerry in recent days has seen brood numbers at Barn Owl nests well above average, and may prove to be a record high too. We'll keep you posted...
