A live 24/7 stream from our MeadowView nest box in the Peak District, with night vision and sound. Barn owls, stock doves and all sorts of other visitors
About the MeadowView nest box camera
MeadowView is one of our nest boxes in the Peak District National Park. Like Buster's home in the barn, it's a box I made from an old oak whisky barrel, with a camera inside so you can watch whoever moves in, day and night, with night vision and sound. Barn owls are its most famous guests, but stock doves and all sorts of other wildlife come and go too, so you never quite know who you'll find.
🦉 The story of MeadowView
MeadowView has already seen some special moments. Back in 2024, it's where Buster and Bella had their first dates, kissing and chattering away to each other on the perch soon after they met. You can watch it in Buster and Bella on one of their first dates.
These days, the box has a new regular. Miss B is a female barn owl who often comes to roost here. Could she be Buster's new mate? We'll have to wait and see, so keep watching!
👀 What you might see
| When | What to look out for |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Daytime | Miss B roosting, dozing on one leg, preening and stretching |
| 🌆 Dusk | Waking up, tidying feathers and heading out to hunt |
| 🌙 Night | Comings and goings, and the odd visit from another owl |
| 🕊️ Any time | Other visitors, such as stock doves looking for a nest site, and the occasional surprise |
| 🌱 Late winter and spring | Look out for a pair spending time together, calling softly and preening each other. That's courtship, and it can lead to eggs |
| ☀️ Summer | If a pair nests, eggs and then owlets, with the male bringing food to the female |
Spotted something? If you see an owl on the camera, tell us in the YouTube live chat. Sightings from the chat are added to our wildlife sightings page.
❓ Questions people ask
Who lives in the MeadowView nest box?
All sorts! MeadowView is a nest box at Barn Owl Live in the Peak District. Buster and Bella had their first dates here in 2024, a female barn owl called Miss B now often roosts in the box, and stock doves and other wildlife visit too.
Why is the box sometimes empty?
Barn owls use more than one roost, and they're out hunting at night, so the box won't always have an owl in it. Check back at different times of day.
Why is the picture black and white at night?
At night the camera uses infrared light, which shows in black and white. The owls can't see infrared, so the box stays dark for them.
Can I watch MeadowView on my TV?
Yes. Open the YouTube app on your smart TV, search for Barn Owl Live, and choose the MeadowView stream.
Does the camera disturb the owls?
No. The camera was fitted outside the breeding season, the infrared light is invisible to owls, and nobody goes near the box while it's in use. Barn owls are protected by law, and their welfare always comes first.
🎥 More live cameras
📚 Learn more about barn owls
- 🛠️ How I make barn owl nest boxes from old whisky barrels
- 🦉 Barn owl facts: over 100 questions and answers
- ♀️ How to tell the sex of a barn owl
- 🐭 What do barn owls eat?
- 🎥 How the nest box cameras are chosen, fitted and streamed
Paul 🦉