A PAIR of barn owls which are regularly monitored on a live webcam have reunited ahead of the breeding season.

The owls, which live in a nesting box at Lorton Meadows in Weymouth, are monitored on a round-the-clock live webcam by Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Last year, viewers watched as the pair successfully raised two young chicks after four hatched from eggs in the spring. Sadly, two of the chicks died.

In December one of the owls disappeared from its usual home in the nesting box and had not been seen for months.

It returned last week and reunited with its partner, just in time for the breeding season.

The webcam will remain live once again for viewers to watch as the pair breed, lay eggs and raise their chicks.

The first egg is likely to be laid in April.

Anyone can tune in at any time to witness first-hand the behaviour of the barn owls, including preening, mating and feeding.

The characteristic sounds of the birds chittering, screeching or hissing can also be heard live via the stream.

Sadly, the number of barn owls is in decline and Dorset Wildlife Trust is encouraging webcam viewers or wildlife lovers to help protect the birds by adopting a barn owl online.

The adoption pack includes a certificate and a sheet of barn owl facts and costs £15.

Proceeds will go to Dorset Wildlife Trust to fund projects to help keep a healthy habitat for the birds.

To watch the barn owls live now, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/webcam2023