We'd only just put this new nest box up at Barn Owl Live, here in the Peak District in Derbyshire, when the camera caught a visitor overnight. Not a barn owl, as I'd hoped, but a tawny owl.
It's a very short clip, and at the time I just thought it was a nice bonus. What I didn't know then was that I was watching the start of something special.
Press play when you're ready, and watch right to the end. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Our very first sighting of Izzy
This young tawny owl popped in, had a quick look around and was gone again. That was it. But she came back to this same box, and in time she nested in it and raised a brood of owlets. We named her Izzy.
So this little clip is a bit of history for us. It's the earliest footage we have of her, long before anyone knew her name.
What to look out for
- A young owl. Izzy looks young here, still working out where she might settle one day.
- House hunting. Owls often visit several possible nest sites before they choose one. Popping in, having a look and leaving again is exactly what you'd expect.
- A brand new box. The box was only just up, which shows how quickly owls notice a new place to nest.
Do tawny owls use barn owl boxes?
They certainly can. Tawny owls nest in holes, usually in old trees, and a large nest box makes a great alternative. They often compete with barn owls, jackdaws and stock doves for the same spots, and whoever gets there first in spring usually wins. Tawny owls also start nesting early in the year, often laying their eggs in March.
What happened next?
Izzy came back, and next time she wasn't alone. You can see her return with her partner, handsome Toby, in the next video: Two tawny owls checking out a nest box. In 2024 they nested in the box for the first time, but sadly Izzy's eggs didn't hatch. Then in 2026, they came back and raised a family. I'm working on a video of that nest, as there's some great footage, so keep an eye out for it.
More from the owls at Barn Owl Live
- 📚 Over 100 tawny owl facts, questions and answers
- 🦉 See who's in the boxes now on the live wildlife cameras
- 🎻 Meet Banjo, the first barn owl in our whisky barrel box: Banjo stretching before he goes hunting
- 🐦 Barn owl vs baby stock dove
Questions people ask
Do tawny owls use barn owl nest boxes?
Yes. Tawny owls nest in holes and will happily use a large nest box. They often compete with barn owls, jackdaws and stock doves for the same nest sites.
Why do owls visit a nest box without staying?
Owls often check out several possible nest sites before choosing one, so a quick visit is normal house hunting.
When do tawny owls nest?
Tawny owls nest early in the year and often lay their eggs in March.
Who is Izzy the tawny owl?
Izzy is a tawny owl at Barn Owl Live in the Peak District. This video is our first sighting of her. She later nested in the same box with her partner Toby, and in 2026 they raised a family.
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Thanks for watching,
Paul 🦉