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Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
June 27, 2008
OWLS: The long goodbye
It has been more than four weeks since the last owlet left the nesting box, but I can’t help but look to the opening whenever I look out the window.
Empty.
So I felt fortunate last week to see one of the owlets briefly — and luckier still to have my camera handy with a 400 millimeter lens attached.
I am saddened by the thought I probably won’t see him or his siblings again, but heartened by the knowledge that this little guy is clearly doing well.
I look forward to late fall, when another screech owl might move into the box and maybe — just maybe — another Family Screech will call the nesting box home.
In the meantime, I will clean out the box (and post photos, for better or worse) and make a few adjustments to the box to discourage squirrels.
I am also going to get back to work on a book about my screech owl neighbors, with a huge assist from friend and ace photographer Jerry Barrack, with whom I did the Celery Farm book and the Celery Farm trilogy of children’s books.
I will post details about this — and other books by friends of this blog — as they develop.
5 comments
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I believe my fledglings finally left mid summer. One night it was like an owl festival. Honestly there were all five owls swooping around the back yard over where the house is. I think they were in the process of running a squirrel out of their house. All five would ram the house at intervals. Pretty soon, the lone squirrel came out cussing. I will have to go over there and make sure the house is clean and do some patching. I have never checked to see if a male owl moves in before March. Jim, last year I had a juvenile accompany the nesting pair and stay through the whole brooding and fledglings. It was a joy to watch. Maybe one day your last years pair will bring a baby back.
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Jim, you never comment on my emails I have sent. The three baby owls have not left. They are becoming permanent residents while the two parents and one juvenile sibling are no where to be seen. The babies seem independent other than the fact they all three roost together each night. I have a squirrel problem. I cleaned out the owl house. A squirrel is nesting in it and won’t give
it up. I am afraid there are babies in it. So, I hate to throw them out. Go look at my many photographs of my baby owls. I kept thinking. They’ll surely leave next week. Then next week came and went.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135@N00/2681289698/ -
I am going to nail flashing to the roof to make it harder for squirrels to jump on top of the box…
I hope to post something soon with an example.. -
I think the timing is right for cleaning out our box too. Jeff would like to know what you are adjusting on the box to discourage the squirrels.
Thanks!
-D -
Wonderful picture (I blew it up!!)
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5 comments
Candace Pfau
I believe my fledglings finally left mid summer. One night it was like an owl festival. Honestly there were all five owls swooping around the back yard over where the house is. I think they were in the process of running a squirrel out of their house. All five would ram the house at intervals. Pretty soon, the lone squirrel came out cussing. I will have to go over there and make sure the house is clean and do some patching. I have never checked to see if a male owl moves in before March. Jim, last year I had a juvenile accompany the nesting pair and stay through the whole brooding and fledglings. It was a joy to watch. Maybe one day your last years pair will bring a baby back.
Candace Pfau
Jim, you never comment on my emails I have sent. The three baby owls have not left. They are becoming permanent residents while the two parents and one juvenile sibling are no where to be seen. The babies seem independent other than the fact they all three roost together each night. I have a squirrel problem. I cleaned out the owl house. A squirrel is nesting in it and won’t give
it up. I am afraid there are babies in it. So, I hate to throw them out. Go look at my many photographs of my baby owls. I kept thinking. They’ll surely leave next week. Then next week came and went.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135@N00/2681289698/
jim wright
I am going to nail flashing to the roof to make it harder for squirrels to jump on top of the box…
I hope to post something soon with an example..
Diana & Jeff
I think the timing is right for cleaning out our box too. Jeff would like to know what you are adjusting on the box to discourage the squirrels.
Thanks!
-D
Deedee Burnside
Wonderful picture (I blew it up!!)