After 18 years right here at Fotherdale, Bomber the male tawny owl Bomber has disappeared. Named for his aggressive nature, this tawny owl dominated the territory. However my cameras additionally revealed a softer facet. Father to round 30 chicks of his personal and foster father to numerous extra rescue chicks, he proved a protecting and caring owl dad.
Fostering owlets
Tawny owl Bomber has left a long-lasting legacy. Finest identified for his appreciable function in my owl rehabilitation work, he was a key a part of my owl rehabilitation mission. Annually, alongside his associate, this seasoned owl father or mother would take rescue chicks below his wings and lift them as his personal. The foster scheme provided these younger owlets one of the best likelihood of surviving within the wild, and, to assist, I offered further meals.
Since introducing dwell cameras into his nest, we have watched the tender behaviour of this owl as he raised 12 of his personal chicks and 25 fosters – however he was elevating each lengthy earlier than these cameras began rolling.
Bomber’s early days
I first photographed this good-looking owl again in 2008 and filmed him in 2014 feeding two rescued owlets and once more in 2015 when he needed to tawny owls chicks of his personal. That yr he additionally took on a whopping 10 foster chicks. Fortunately tawny owls cannot rely! However it was in 2017, once I began to report his story, he fostered a rescued owlet who would go on to share his life for six tender years.
Tawny pair face loss
Luna re-entered Bomber’s life as an grownup owl in 2019. However their time collectively was marred by frequent egg failures. Of their first yr collectively simply one in all their three eggs hatched and in 2021 and 2022 their eggs failed altogether. However between these losses there have been additionally successes years and in 2020, the pair had 4 chicks off digital camera. This was additionally the primary yr of fostering for this pair.
Fostering wild chicks
Though I knew Bomber had raised foster owlets earlier than, I wasn’t certain if Luna would be a part of him in his function as Fotherdale’s chief tawny owl rehabilitator. However when two rescue chicks have been handed in, I positioned them in Beech Stump, a nest the pair had used earlier than and the owls took Eric & Ernie below their wings as in the event that they have been their very own. After that they had fledged, I positioned 4 extra rescue owlets into this nest and Bomber proved one of the best supplier.
Shortly after their eggs failed in 2022, I positioned two foster chicks of their nest and filmed the second Luna rushed in to wrap her wings round her new fosters. The second melted hearts all over the world. That yr the pair went on to boost an extra six rescue owlets, with Bomber, who by then was 15 years previous, taking over the job of feeding them within the bushes surrounding their nest till they have been prepared to start their lives as impartial owls.
Lengthy watch for chicks
When Luna laid once more in 2023, I apprehensive whether or not Bomber was nonetheless fertile. The common life expectancy of a wild tawny owl is 4 years, and this male owl was round 16. After their chequered historical past, the lengthy, 30 days of Luna’s incubation was onerous to look at. And when two wholesome chicks emerged, it was a aid to look at Bomber tenderly greet them. The pair went on to have one other three chicks in 2024, persevering with to soak up foster chicks alongside their very own. And 2025 turned out to be one of many now 18-year-old owl’s busiest years as he raised three of his personal chicks and 9 rescue chicks.
Bomber disappears
Bomber disappeared in August 2025. We’ll by no means know precisely what occurred however when he did not return after three months I started to suspect he was gone for good. Then once I heard Luna name out for him, and noticed a brand new male reply as an alternative, I knew he was gone – Bomber wouldn’t have tolerated a competitor!
Hopefully this new owl will step into his function right here at Fotherdale
