This afternoon, I heard a TERRIBLE commotion in the Meadow. Bluejays, wrens, titmice–they were all screaming at the top of their lungs while I sat in front of my computer, trying to write about beetles. Hmm, snake? Owl? Curiosity got the best of me, and I pushed away from my desk. I trekked outside, peered into the live oaks and scanned the branches. Meanwhile, the uproar continued. Some birds gathered near the owl box. Must be an owl, I thought.
This evening after dusk, James went outside with camera in hand. Sure enough, a little eastern screech owl perched in the box. Agatha! It has to be her! She probably returned a week or so ago when I heard the birds mobbing another time but couldn't find anything in the trees when I went outside to investigate.
Our eastern screech owl couple will roost in our two boxes during the winter. Nesting doesn't start up again until next March or so.
4 comments:
Agatha is so cute. So, we have a squirrel nesting in our owl box. I keep hoping an owl will evict her, but it hasn't happened. Do I need to play slumlord and kick her out? Any advice on how to keep her out until we get a respectable tenant?
How cool. I'm afraid if we had a nesting box, it would be like Pam's, and the squirrels would take over.
Hi Pam! Hey Linda! Hmm, not sure what to suggest on the squirrel squatter. Last spring, we had a pair of titmice that raised a brood in our other owl box. I think ornithologist Cliff Shackelford told me that the squirrels should be done nesting by the time the owls are ready to start. Or maybe it was vice versa. We have two boxes, which was recommended by Cliff. The female uses one to nest in the spring and roost in the winter. The males roosts in the other one in the winter. Hope this helps!
Sheryl,
I just passed along to you, an award I was given. The Best Blog Award. This one is easy. No confessions.
You're under no obligation to play. I just enjoy your blog, and thought I'd send it along.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Linda...
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