As we ate supper in the Succah this evening the owls called loudly

In between eating

I stood outside the tent where I had a clear view of an owl in flight as it soared over the barn bedrooms. Yet the calls from the ash tree continued. Then I realised that two birds were occupying the tree. Owls often live in pairs and usually mate for life.

Hedge trimming and thinning is noisy but necessary.

A barn owl is living, once again, in the hollow of the tall ash tree by the gate. When the barn was renovated the building work sent our resident barn owl away and I was truly sad. From time to time I saw owls flying along Mill Road at night and once spotted a bird in the garden at twilight. For the past week we have heard the calls of the owl loud and clear every night and our guests, too, listened to the strange sound as we sat in the Succah. The last guests to leave were treated to the sight of one or possibly two owls roosting in the tree and one flew out and up over the tall gable of the barn. What a sight and what a thrill. Please stay for ever.

Including pizzas at lunchtime today

The leaves went atop the Succah and all the guests arrived for succot – the feast of tabernacles