Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
After Dryer the barn owl goes missing, I take food to his young family - only to find the last thing I wanted to see.
Date filmed: June 2026
Join this channel to support my work and get access to perks:
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Watch barn owls and Gylfie & Dryer interact live on my nest cam: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFM-u8Q8V11cI1Ghk_-byaPM and follow their story in this playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFPGeo0NropB21-UI0PIagx3
*ABOUT THIS FILM*
____________________
Finding Dryer
After searching for barn owl dad Dryer for days, my worst fears are confirmed when, just 100m from the nest, I find Dyer's body.
Barn owls Gylfie & Dryer
Dryer and Gylfie, his partner of four years, had two owlets, Oak & Acorn. Aged just under two months, they depended on Dryer for food since at this stage Gylfie was already prospecting nests for a second brood.
Helping the owlets
So when Dryer went missing a week ago it was important to help out. I only took a few, tiny, mice to the nest since I wanted the owlets to remain hungry enough to call out which would encourage Gylfie to continue to feed them.
Searching for Dryer
After delivering the mice, I continued my search for Dryer. I had already been round all the water troughs - since these are often fatal for birds in hot weather, but just in case I made one last visit to the trough where Gylfie's last partner, Finn, sadly died.
Danger of water troughs
So much of our wildlife drowns in water troughs. They go in to drink or bathe and then are unable to get out. But it's so simple to make troughs safe - just a small plastic tray or a breeze block at one end creates a step for animals to get out. I noticed a tawny owl feather at the trough - evidence of at least one life saved.
A heartbreaking discovery
On my way back from checking the trough, I make a heartbreaking discovery. Poor Dryer was lying in a grassy bank just metres away from the nest. The cause of death is not clear at this stage. In the meantime I'll continue to give Gylfie a helping hand until her chicks can fend for themselves.
*ABOUT ME*
____________
I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You can support my work by donating here: paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=A52ZHAMJZC3J4 or joining one of my supporter communities: robertefuller.com/support_and_donate
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!
Follow me on social media: robertefuller.com/pages/social
#barnowl #owl #robertefuller
___________________
© Robert E Fuller
Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: mail@robertefuller.comJoin this channel to support my work and get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCU0LJ9et5Tb3m7COFzShgLg/join
After Dryer the barn owl goes missing, I take food to his young family - only to find the last thing I wanted to see.
Date filmed: June 2026
Join this channel to support my work and get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCU0LJ9et5Tb3m7COFzShgLg/join
Watch barn owls and Gylfie & Dryer interact live on my nest cam: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFM-u8Q8V11cI1Ghk_-byaPM and follow their story in this playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx09JDaWUEFPGeo0NropB21-UI0PIagx3
*ABOUT THIS FILM*
____________________
Finding Dryer
After searching for barn owl dad Dryer for days, my worst fears are confirmed when, just 100m from the nest, I find Dyer's body.
Barn owls Gylfie & Dryer
Dryer and Gylfie, his partner of four years, had two owlets, Oak & Acorn. Aged just under two months, they depended on Dryer for food since at this stage Gylfie was already prospecting nests for a second brood.
Helping the owlets
So when Dryer went missing a week ago it was important to help out. I only took a few, tiny, mice to the nest since I wanted the owlets to remain hungry enough to call out which would encourage Gylfie to continue to feed them.
Searching for Dryer
After delivering the mice, I continued my search for Dryer. I had already been round all the water troughs - since these are often fatal for birds in hot weather, but just in case I made one last visit to the trough where Gylfie's last partner, Finn, sadly died.
Danger of water troughs
So much of our wildlife drowns in water troughs. They go in to drink or bathe and then are unable to get out. But it's so simple to make troughs safe - just a small plastic tray or a breeze block at one end creates a step for animals to get out. I noticed a tawny owl feather at the trough - evidence of at least one life saved.
A heartbreaking discovery
On my way back from checking the trough, I make a heartbreaking discovery. Poor Dryer was lying in a grassy bank just metres away from the nest. The cause of death is not clear at this stage. In the meantime I'll continue to give Gylfie a helping hand until her chicks can fend for themselves.
*ABOUT ME*
____________
I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You can support my work by donating here: paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=A52ZHAMJZC3J4 or joining one of my supporter communities: robertefuller.com/support_and_donate
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: https://www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!
Follow me on social media: robertefuller.com/pages/social
#barnowl #owl #robertefuller
___________________
© Robert E Fuller
Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: mail@robertefuller.comJoin this channel to support my work and get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCU0LJ9et5Tb3m7COFzShgLg/join
