Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Reality TV owl-style

Love owls? Got your own nest boxes, like we do? Then you've got to check out the Screech Owl Cam, hosted by Cathy and Bob Howell of Austin, Texas. But hurry up! The four chicks are getting bigger every day and probably won't be in the nest much longer. The live stream includes audio so you can hear the babies scratching around and making their whistling sounds. The equipment is so good, you can even hear dogs barking in the neighborhood and white-tailed dove cooing off in the distance. (One night, a loud mosquito kept buzzing around in the box!)

Opposite the live video stream is a chat room, where lots of folks "gather" in the evening, sit wine or whatever, and discuss the comings-and-goings of the owl family (sometimes other topics pop up, too). They've even named the owl chicks. There's Hercules, Bev....and I forget the other names.

But talk about cute! The camera's up at the top of the box, looking down into the nest. Every now and then, the kiddos swivel their heads up (so you get great looks at their big eyes) in anticipation of mom or dad delivering a meal. (Yuck–I don't care to see THAT part.)

Reporter Mike Leggett with the Austin American-Statesman wrote about the Howells and their webcam in the April 26, 2009, edition. For the story, click here.

P.S. A big thank-you for this webcam heads-up goes to our neighbor, Trisha Campbell.

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