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Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
June 4, 2007
The night of the rain
Last night was the most eventful one yet at the screech owl box.
The owlets were frisky early, and fighting to get to the opening.
It started to rain. After dusk, Patty and I watched from the window, and Patty noticed an adult screech owl not far from the nesting box, watching the babies.
In the deep gloaming, the owl moved to a different branch.
I opened a window to see if I could see any better. No.
But I could hear an owlet calling, a mournful cry from out of the darkness.
From the window, I had never heard an owlet before, and I knew something had changed.
I raced downstairs and activated the monitor. Only three owlets were inside the box.
We called the marsh warden for advice.
An owl expert had suggested that if an owlet had trouble getting off the ground, we might put a broom handle low for it to hop on, and then lift the handle to a tree branch so the owlet could hop off to safety.
The marsh warden thought that this might be the way to go if we did indeed find the owlet on the ground the pouring rain.
Patty and I went outside to see if we could see or hear anything, and we used a flashlight to look near the nesting-box tree — mindful that we were briefly intruding and aware that an adult screech might also be near.
No trace of the young screech owl.
No sound, save for the steady rain.
Could Mom or Dad have somehow intervened already?
It was just before 9 p.m., and we had done what we could: to make sure that the owlet in some sort of trouble.
I am glad that I put wood chips down in front of the box.
Not only did they likely soften the owlet’s fall, but they also elevated the ground level in front of the box.
If the rain had been harder, the wood chips would have provided some higher ground.
I checked the monitor a few times during the night to make sure none of the other three had jumped yet.
This morning I awoke early to a light rain. I checked the monitor: Three owlets asleep.
I went outside and looked for the owlet but did not see it anywhere. I am hoping that Mom and Dad helped the owlet to safety, or ot did so on its own.
At this point, that is the most logical explanation for what happened, and the one that’s easiest to accept.
Part of the allure of owls is that they are so mysterious and secretive.
They are creatures of the night, and a screech-cam can only record what goes on in one tiny part of that vast world.
The rest remains a mystery, and in a sense, perhaps that’s the way it should remain.
10 comments
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Hi Jim: I just looked at this site again and saw that you had asked me another question and I had not replied. I apologize for that. I had watched the owl box so many times and only saw 2. I really don’t think there were more than that. However, the bad news is that they both died. I was extremely upset. I only hope the parents will come back and nest again next year. If you want to email me back, just email me on my home computer. I called everybody in the world to see if I could find out what could have happened, but I guess its just impossible to know.
-
One other thought: How do you know there were only two owlets in the nesting box. Might keep an eye out for others…
–Jim -
Congratulations, Mom.
My guess is the owlet left the nest of its own accord.
If you had not helped it, it probably would have been able to climb up to a branch on its own. You just helped things along.
The owlet should be fine.
Nice going.
–Jim -
I have screech owls nesting in my backyard in a house I put up. One of the 2 babies has disappeared and I’m afraid of what might have happened. The other one fell out last night and I put him on a branch and the mother and father kept coming to him. Can they help him get back in the nest or what happens now?
Thanks. Cathy -
I had a Willow Flycatcher nest I was watching closely last year. One day I looked at it and the chicks were so big that they were bursting out of it. I checked it the next day and what had happened during the night is that a car went off the road and nocked the bush the nest was in on its side. The nest was intact but no sign of the chicks. I have assumed since that they were ready to fledge and that being knocked out of the nest didn’t do them any harm….at least I hope!
Vern -
You are such a mother hen!
“Yes, a mystery, and that’s the way it should remain.”
That little owl was ready to fledge and he is now out in this big wide world and living like Screech Owls do!!
Rain no problem! It’s just a part of the natural world! -
Yes, the owlet was one of the two larger ones. I am cautiously optimistic. Especially now that the rain has stopped.
-
I’m hopeful…Was it one of the larger babies?
-
To have an owl still in the box is a good sign. My guess is if the nest isn’t there, it is nearby.
-
Keeping my finngers crossed for your owlet, Jim.
On my way out of the drive way Saturday night, i saw an owl at the box! (First time in WEEKS.) I didn’t get a good look as I was in the car, but BOY I wish I knew what was going on in there.
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10 comments
Cathy Breaux
Hi Jim: I just looked at this site again and saw that you had asked me another question and I had not replied. I apologize for that. I had watched the owl box so many times and only saw 2. I really don’t think there were more than that. However, the bad news is that they both died. I was extremely upset. I only hope the parents will come back and nest again next year. If you want to email me back, just email me on my home computer. I called everybody in the world to see if I could find out what could have happened, but I guess its just impossible to know.
jim wright
One other thought: How do you know there were only two owlets in the nesting box. Might keep an eye out for others…
–Jim
jim wright
Congratulations, Mom.
My guess is the owlet left the nest of its own accord.
If you had not helped it, it probably would have been able to climb up to a branch on its own. You just helped things along.
The owlet should be fine.
Nice going.
–Jim
Cathy Breaux
I have screech owls nesting in my backyard in a house I put up. One of the 2 babies has disappeared and I’m afraid of what might have happened. The other one fell out last night and I put him on a branch and the mother and father kept coming to him. Can they help him get back in the nest or what happens now?
Thanks. Cathy
Vern
I had a Willow Flycatcher nest I was watching closely last year. One day I looked at it and the chicks were so big that they were bursting out of it. I checked it the next day and what had happened during the night is that a car went off the road and nocked the bush the nest was in on its side. The nest was intact but no sign of the chicks. I have assumed since that they were ready to fledge and that being knocked out of the nest didn’t do them any harm….at least I hope!
Vern
Deedee
You are such a mother hen!
“Yes, a mystery, and that’s the way it should remain.”
That little owl was ready to fledge and he is now out in this big wide world and living like Screech Owls do!!
Rain no problem! It’s just a part of the natural world!
jim wright
Yes, the owlet was one of the two larger ones. I am cautiously optimistic. Especially now that the rain has stopped.
Christine
I’m hopeful…Was it one of the larger babies?
jim wright
To have an owl still in the box is a good sign. My guess is if the nest isn’t there, it is nearby.
Diana & Jeff
Keeping my finngers crossed for your owlet, Jim.
On my way out of the drive way Saturday night, i saw an owl at the box! (First time in WEEKS.) I didn’t get a good look as I was in the car, but BOY I wish I knew what was going on in there.