LaFarge, Cementine, and Connie Crete ... names that sound more suited to a corporate construction merger than to three wide eyed, fluffy Spotted Eagle Owlets...
On Tuesday, we met up with Douglas Gultig, the Estate Manager at Dunblane Lifestyle Estate, after receiving word about some unexpected "residents" at one of their building sites.
A development had been on pause for some time, and during the lull, a family of Spotted Eagle Owls had decided to move in and claim squatter's rights.
When construction roared back to life, the young owlets suddenly found themselves surrounded by builders, noise, dust, and machinery .. a less than ideal environment for three fluffy apprentices still learning how to owl.
After a quick meet and greet with Douglas, we collected the trio, looking every bit like disgruntled site inspectors being relocated mid project.
One in particular (LaFarge) looked like he'd lost a bet with a cement truck. He literally had dollops of cement stuck to his head, neck, back and wings.
We sat outside in the sun with him on a blanket, for "Operation De-Gunk", carefully preening the hardened bit of cement off his feathers.
It didn't take long for LaFarge to realise the grooming session wasn't part of some cruel new safety protocol, and before long, he was snoozing peacefully on a blanket, his little chest rising and falling with sleepy relief as we worked out fingers through his feathers.
Cementine and Connie Crete, meanwhile, kept a close eye on proceedings, no doubt taking mental notes for the next board meeting.
For now, the three will remain under our care until they're ready for the next phase of their journey. Once they've grown stronger and more independent, they'll move to The Owl Rescue Centre, where they'll undergo soft release. There, they'll have the safety of food support while they learn to hunt and eventually claim their own territory .. hopefully far from bulldozers, mixers, and scaffolding.
It's safe to say this little "cement board" has been adjourned, and from here on, the only thing these three will be building is strength, confidence, and a future in the wild.
Douglas, thank you for ensuring their safety!
