I had a very interesting time observing the Lilith Owls at their burrow yesterday. One of the parents was on sentry duty outside the burrow. It was vocalising quite a lot. I was wondering what was causing this. I soon got the answer Up popped a juvenile. It stared at me inquisitively, sometimes rocking from side to side as owls do, as it tried to work out what I was Soon it was joined by a sibling and there were two owls staring at me. The show was not yet over and moments later a third owl put in an appearance. Here two are looking up at the parent whilst one keeps tabs on me. I have subsequently been told that 5 owlets have been observed. Four healthy, robust birds and one smaller, weaker one. The parent on duty kept on scanning in one direction. At first I thought it had seen a threat, as the juveniles had disappeared back into the burrow again. Moments later the other parent landed at the site with this snake gripped firmly in its beak. It quickly disappeared into the burrow with it. It then reappeared and flew off again. I believe the snake is a False Cobra. (Rhagerhis moilensis) It gets the name by spreading its neck into a hood and hissing like a Cobra. They are known to grow up to 1,5m in length. I managed to relocate it again as it rested up in the shade outside what looks like a secondary burrow.
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