Takeaway

As the sun started to set casting a beautiful orange glow over the rough grass, the owls came out to hunt. I would imagine with this cold weather they need quite a few hunting sorties and catches to survive. 

This barn owl I think has what looks like a shrew in its talons but they also eat voles, mice and rats needing about 3-4 prey items per night. According to the Barn Owl Trust, during the breeding season they need approximately 4,000 prey items to rear a successful brood.

Most barn owls die young with only 30% surviving in their first year with the average age being 4 dying from starvation, road accidents, eating poisoned food, overhead cables or drowning especially in water troughs. A life fraught with difficulties!