Scoil Cholmcille

Bird Visit

The school had a visit from a peregrine falcon and a white barn owl. We learned lots of interesting facts about owls and falcons. Here are some of them:

The Peregrine Falcon:

• Peregrines have been known to live as long as 15 years.
• They usually begin breeding at about two years old.
• They are nature's fastest fliers: Peregrines have been clocked diving, or stooping, at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour!
• Peregrine falcons are about the size and weight of a crow - females are larger and more powerful than males.

Barney the owl went down a treat and lots of the children got to hold and pet him. Here are some facts about Barney:

• Barn owls are solitary, or found in pairs. They are nocturnal, and roost during the day in tree cavities, cliff crevices, riverbanks, barns, nest boxes, churches steeples, and other man-made structures.
• Barn owls are very efficient hunters. It is suspected that they spend much of their time loafing.
• Barn owls are nocturnal predators that prefer small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, rats, muskrats, hares and rabbits. They may also prey on small birds. Barn owls begin hunting alone after sunset.
• They have excellent hearing.