Tawny Owl gets fed voles as she incubates 3 eggs!

In 2024, our tawny owls Izzy and Toby moved into the nest box I made from an old oak whisky barrel. I'd built it for barn owls, but after several tawnies came to have a look, I tweaked the design to suit them. And it worked.

In this clip, Izzy is sitting on her eggs and calls out to Toby that she's hungry. You can hear him answer, and before long he arrives with a vole for her. Please put the sound on for this one. The way they talk to each other is wonderful.

▶ Tawny Owl Izzy Calls for Food and Toby Brings Her a Vole

Press play when you're ready, and watch right to the end. You can also watch it on YouTube.

What's happening in the video

Izzy had laid a clutch of three eggs and was sitting on them, keeping them warm. Toby wasn't at the nest full time yet, but every evening he'd bring her food so she could stay put and keep incubating.

Here, Izzy calls out to let him know she's hungry. Toby calls back, and a little later he turns up at the box with a vole. It's a lovely example of how a tawny owl pair works together during the nesting season.

What to listen for

• Izzy's call. Female tawny owls give a sharp "kewick" call, and that's what you'll hear as Izzy calls out for food.
• Toby's reply. Male tawnies answer with the classic hoot. Put the two together and you get the famous "twit twoo".
• The handover. Watch how quickly Izzy takes the vole. Sitting on eggs is hungry work, and she relies on Toby completely.

The ending I didn't expect

I never made this into a full video, and here's why. Sadly, none of Izzy's eggs hatched. She sat on them faithfully for almost five weeks, well past when they should have hatched, before finally giving up. It was heartbreaking to watch it unfold live.

It does happen, especially with young owls nesting for the first time. Some eggs are never fertile, and others stop developing, and there's nothing anyone can do. It doesn't make it any easier to watch, though.

A happier chapter

In 2025, Izzy and Toby came back to visit the box, but they didn't nest in it. I think the failed nest the year before may have put them off. Then in 2026, they came back again, nested and raised a family. A wonderful ending after everything they'd been through.

I'll be making a video of the 2026 tawny nest, as there's some lovely footage. Please subscribe to the website and the YouTube channel so you don't miss it.

Izzy and Toby's story so far

• 🦉 Our first ever sighting of Izzy, checking out the new box
• 💕 Izzy brings Toby to see the box
• 🥚 2024: Izzy sits on three eggs, and Toby keeps her fed (this video)
• 🎬 2026: the successful nest, video coming soon

More from the owls at Barn Owl Live

• 📚 Over 100 tawny owl facts, questions and answers
• 📺 Watch the live wildlife cameras from the Peak District
• 💕 Another love story: barn owls Buster and Bella

Questions people ask

How many eggs do tawny owls lay?

Tawny owls usually lay two or three eggs, and the female sits on them while the male brings her food.

How long do tawny owl eggs take to hatch?

Tawny owl eggs usually hatch after about a month. Izzy sat on hers for almost five weeks before giving up, as they never hatched.

Why do some owl eggs not hatch?

Some eggs are never fertile and others stop developing. It happens more often with young birds nesting for the first time.

Did Izzy and Toby ever raise owlets?

Yes. After the failed nest in 2024 and a year off in 2025, they nested in the box again in 2026 and raised a family.

Thanks for watching,
Paul 🦉