Barn Owl Nest at Arlington Court — Live Webcam Online
Meet the Barn Owls: Residents of Arlington Court
In an ancient estate in North Devon, barn owls live — some of the most recognisable birds of prey in the UK. These feathered predators have chosen a special nest box installed in the wall of the historic manor house and have raised their young here. You can now watch their lives through a camera that broadcasts what is happening in the nest without interruption.
The barn owl is not a domestic bird. It is a wild predator that humans attract indirectly: through the installation of nest boxes, which also serve to control rodent populations. At Arlington Court, this practice has existed for a long time, turning the estate into a place where wildlife and historical heritage coexist.
Arlington Court: History of the Estate
Arlington Court is a neoclassical country house built in 1820–1823 by architect Thomas Lee of Barnstaple. The commission came from the Chichester family, who owned these lands for more than five centuries. The architecture of the house reflects the tastes of the Regency era — strict proportions, symmetrical façade, characteristic of early 19th-century English classicism.
In 1949, Rosalie Chichester, the last representative of the family, donated the mansion and 3,500 acres (about 14 km²) of surrounding land to the National Trust. Since then, the estate has been open to visitors, and its parks and woodlands have become part of Devon's protected natural landscape.
How the Nest Camera Works
The camera is installed inside a wooden nest box — a special structure that mimics the natural shelters of barn owls. The box is fitted with vertical wooden boards on the back wall, which help the chicks climb out in the period before fledging. The lighting in the camera is designed so as not to disturb the birds: infrared illumination is used, allowing round-the-clock observation.
The broadcast is in real time. The viewer sees exactly what is happening in the nest right now — without delay or editing. This is not a recording, but a live broadcast from the wild of Britain.
Barn Owl Biology
The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a medium-sized bird with long legs and a characteristic heart-shaped facial disc. Dark eyes, a small curved bill, and yellowish-white plumage with dark speckling make it easily recognisable among other European owls.
In the UK, the barn owl hunts both at night and during the day, which is unusual for most owls. Its main weapon is hearing: asymmetrically positioned ears allow it to precisely locate the sound of small prey moving in grass or under snow. The facial disc works like a satellite dish, focusing sound waves.
The barn owl's diet consists mainly of small mammals. Studies show that shrews make up 52.9% of its prey by number, and rodents 42.1% (and 71.5% by biomass). One barn owl family destroys thousands of voles and mice during the breeding season, making these owls valuable allies of agriculture.
Nesting Season: From Eggs to Fledging
The camera at Arlington Court was installed after nine eggs were laid in the nest box — a record number for barn owls. The first three eggs hatched on Monday, the fourth on Wednesday. The incubation period lasts about 32 days, and the chicks hatch asynchronously, at intervals of several days.
The development of the chicks is monitored by ranger Ellie Watt, who is responsible for wildlife monitoring on the estate. National Trust rangers track the condition of the nest, record the feeding behaviour of the parents, and ensure that the breeding process proceeds without human intervention.
Barn owl chicks spend 8–10 weeks in the nest before fledging for the first time. During this period, they moult actively, acquiring adult plumage, and exercise their wings, preparing for independent life.
Devon: Land of Ancient Forests and Moors
North Devon, where Arlington Court is located, is a region with a mild maritime climate and high humidity. Pastures, hedgerows, and small woodlands predominate here — an ideal environment for barn owls, which hunt in open spaces but need enclosed shelters for nesting.
Devon's nature is diverse: from the heather moors of Exmoor to the coastal cliffs of the Bristol Channel. Badgers, foxes, red deer, and many bird species are found around Arlington Court. The barn owl nest box is part of a biodiversity conservation programme that National Trust runs on its lands.
Barn Owl Conservation in the UK
The barn owl is listed as a protected species in several European countries. In the UK, its population declined in the 20th century due to agricultural intensification, pesticide use, and loss of nesting sites. Installing nest boxes is one of the most effective methods for restoring numbers.
The barn owl is a wild bird of prey, not domesticated. People interact with it indirectly by creating conditions for nesting. The camera at Arlington Court is an example of how technology helps study and conserve wild animals without disturbing their natural behaviour.
What You Can See on the Camera
The camera is pointed inside a wooden nest box where barn owls live. In the background are vertical wooden boards that the chicks will climb to reach the exit. In the centre of the frame is a female or male barn owl with the characteristic white heart-shaped face, dark eyes, and yellowish-white plumage with dark speckling.
During the incubation period, the viewer sees a bird sitting motionless on the eggs. After the chicks hatch, white fluffballs appear in the nest, which gradually become covered with feathers. The parents bring prey — usually voles or mice — and feed the young, tearing the prey into pieces.
The camera operates around the clock. At night, infrared illumination is used, allowing observation of owl activity in the dark. During the day, the image is in colour. The broadcast comes from Devon, UK, and shows the life of wild barn owls without embellishment — as it really is.
