The wild owl, who is at least 18-years-old, is sadly assumed to be gone for good
Owl lovers across the world are mourning the loss of a “beloved” wild tawny owl from the Yorkshire Wolds. Bomber, whose nest is livestreamed by wildlife artist and filmmaker Robert E Fuller, was confirmed missing this week.
The male owl is at least 18-years-old. The oldest known wild tawny owl was 23-years-old, although most are understood to only live four or five years.
Mr Fuller, who shares films about the wildlife in his Thixendale garden with more than two million followers on social media, said Bomber was a favourite of the wildlife “stars” featured. Best known for helping raise orphaned and injured owlets, Bomber, along with his mate Luna, fostered more than 20 chicks.
A 2022 video showing the owls take two chicks under their wing racked up 13 million views. Tributes had been pouring in from fans as far afield as the US, Canada and even Peru.
Many described being “heartbroken”. One fan even shared how her husband had carved Bomber and Luna into their headboard after years of following the owls’ story.
READ MORE: Yorkshire Wolds owl Luna is a mum at last
Bomber went missing in September, but it wasn’t until his mate Luna began courting a new male that Mr Fuller realised he was gone for good.
“He’s gone missing before, but not for this long,” he said. “And when I noticed Luna with a different male, I knew that if Bomber was still around, he wouldn’t tolerate this.”
Since their nest was first livestreamed in 2020, Bomber and Luna have also raised 12 chicks of their own. But Bomber, who had at least two mates before partnering with Luna, is believed to have raised further generations of tawny owls.
“He leaves quite a legacy,” said Mr Fuller. “And he was well loved. He got his name from the powerful way he defended his territory, but it was his tender side that won hearts.
“He was a good provider and would go on feeding both his own chicks and foster chicks long after they had fledged the nest.”