Owls for company and inspiration

Written By Jennifer Tetlow
Barn Owls are nesting in my workshop and love to perch on my gantry used for lifting stone. This is the male bird visiting the female who is in the nest box.

My Barn Owls have chosen to nest with me again this year and there are shuffling sounds from the box - which I’m hoping means youngsters are growing and becoming more active.

This is the male bird - he visits regularly bringing food for the female who is in the nest box and he perches here on my gantry (used for lifting stone usually).

A Barn Owl in my workshop, looking up at the nest box as his partner is there keeping the chicks warm. So inspiring to see them up close and observe their behaviour.

He’s looking up at the nest box, I think he heard sounds. The female comes out to join him, and spends time preening and stretching her wings after being confined in the nestbox.

The female Barn Owl has come out of the nest box and stretches her wings, the male looks on from his perch.

It is such a beautiful thing to have them around, see and hear them. I have begun to learn their habits, and they do follow patterns of behaviour. Over the years of them nesting in my workshop they’ve been responsible for sparking creative thoughts and many Owl sculptures, and this year will be the same. Seeing wildlife up close is truly inspiring.

I’m sharing here one or two Barn Owl sculptures I’ve carved previously - if you’d like to be updated on owl carvings as they are completed this year, simply join the newsletter - or contact me to commission your very own Owl.

Owl sculpture carved in natural stone after being inspired by the Barn Owls nesting in my workshop and watching them raise their young
Jennifer Tetlow
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The Brilliance of Birds