Tales From the Nest – Part 4 – 4/9-4/13

 4/9 & 10

Due to other commitments I was unable to visit the nest over the weekend.  I can’t wait to see how much these rapidly growing chicks have changed in this short space of time.

4/11

We had severe thunderstorms and rain most of the night with winds gusting to 37 mph, and I am worried that the bad weather may have damaged the nest.  Even though it is still raining I can’t contain myself any longer. The suspense is killing me.  I arrive at the nest and see no activity.  Are they still in there, and if so are they OK?  I settle back and wait for what seems an eternity (in actuality—probably only 10-15 minutes). 

 One very wet baby owl 

Finally I see one small and very drenched head pop up over the edge of the nest. They survived the thunderstorm!  I take a couple of quick shots of our rather comical looking baby—all the while trying to protect my camera gear from the rain.  My fears allayed, I head for my nice dry home, thankful that I am not an owl today sitting in the rain in an open top nest.

4/12 

Today I arrive at the nest to find Mom and only one baby visible.  Even though I sit and watch for over an hour I see no other activity.  Is the other baby OK?  Did it succumb to yesterday’s storm?

 Mamma and one baby

Our homeowner has graciously offered to let me look for owl pellets in his yard if I am so inclined.  I’ve combed the area under the tree, but found only one pellet.  Unfortunately for me the yard has been raked to clean up Sweetgum balls and I believe any pellets were picked up along with the offending Sweetgum balls.

 The only pellet I found - note the bones sticking out of it

I will return again tomorrow to see if there is still a second baby in the nest.

4/13

On arriving at the nest today I am thankful to find both babies visible and very active.

Today the younger chick is exhibiting more curiosity and becoming bolder about peering over the edge of the nest.

The feather tufts are becoming more prominent on the older chick. Many people think these tufts are ears, but in fact they are simply tufts of feathers, which can indicate the bird’s “mood”.  When the bird is relaxed they may lay down flat against it’s head and be almost invisible.  However, if the bird is curious, feels threatened, or is simply on alert due to something strange in it’s environment, these tufts of feather may stand straight up. 

I watch these youngsters play for a while until they settle down into the nest—probably for a nap after all their strenuous activity.

Check back again for more Tales From The Nest.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer