Thursday June 2 2016
It happened again, for about the 8th spring in a row: the resident screech owl pair had at least one baby, and I could not find the nest.
Every year it's like this: beginning of the year, in winter, I start hearing the male screech owl, tooting away for his mate. He's very vocal. You can hear some screech owl calls here. I can catch a glimpse of him in the cottonwood trees just before dark. Sometimes I'll even hear him during the day, in which case I can usually spot him.
The female rarely pipes up. In fact a couple of springs I thought, 'Oh, poor guy, he can't find a mate.' And then months later I'll hear a screech baby or two.
I know this pair nests within a 100 yard radius, likely in a hole in a cottonwood tree on one of the creeks. And I can never find the nest.
I heard the male occasionally this winter/spring, and heard the female only once or twice. I knew they were nesting again. Could not find the nest again.
And look who shows up 2 nights ago.
This year's adult, staring at me, telling me the baby has fledged. It's nearby. I can hear it, but I can't see it. Where is he hiding his babies?
*and... last night - I heard 2 babies!
Such clever birds to be able to hide the nest and growing family so well. The babies are adorable. Lucky you to be able to see them at all. Too bad you can't make friends so they'd invite you home.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I've heard owls around here, but I've never seen one. Darn.