Frieda Hughes uncovers the truth about her owl's sex and hatches a plan

In a recent and unusual event, poet and artist Frieda Hughes discovered that one of her Eurasian eagle owls, which she had named Oscar, was actually a female. This revelation stirred Hughes into action as she sought to hatch one of the owl's eggs in an incubator. For six long years, the owl's true sex had been a mystery to Hughes, which was further complicated by the lack of clear identification on the bird's certificate. Despite breaking two of her three eggs, Hughes has high hopes for this remaining egg and is preparing for the monumental task of raising an owl. The challenges of incubating an egg from a bird species like the Eurasian eagle owl are many. Hughes expresses her anxieties about the egg's viability, wondering if it will survive the hatching process or if it will succumb to complications. These worries highlight the delicate nature of the task she has undertaken, illustrating both her passion for the owl and the stakes involved in bringing a new life into the world. Each day that passes brings fresh urgency to her responsibilities as a caretaker. Hughes anticipates that nurturing the growing chick will demand her full attention, making all other daily demands, social invitations, and engagements less significant in comparison. The egg, which represents a new life, becomes the center of her focus, demanding care and dedication as it develops. She reflects on how this commitment to the owl could lead to profound changes in her daily routines as the chick requires constant attention and will grow rapidly in the early days of its life. Through her experience, Hughes may be diving into the intricate and often emotional world of wildlife care, reflecting the personal connections that can form between humans and animals. This situation not only emphasizes the bond that can exist but also tugs at the heartstrings of those who admire nature and its mysteries. As Hughes embarks on this journey of discovery and parenting, she acknowledges that everything else will fade into the background, overtaken by the challenges and joys of raising a young owl.