In 2008, we put up a Screech Owl nest box in our back yard. Last summer we were thrilled to realize that a pair of Western Screech Owls had indeed nested in our yard, but not in the box. They used the box, just not for eggs and young. This blog follows their life in our yard, and, sometimes, in their box. We named the female, Olive and her mate, Oliver. I hope you will enjoy reading the ongoing story of this charming family.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

July 14, 2010

         No sign of Olive, but the 2 younger owls, Oscar and Othello, were in their usual pre-hunting spot in Tree #4.  Othello is as reliably found on the same branch of the same tree every day as the sun is reliable in rising!  He is the baby and is sooo cute.  His sibling, Oscar, was sitting on a branch just behind and a teeny bit above where Othello was sitting.  They appeared to be sitting back to back.  Othello gazed at me with a teeny bit of alarm, but he looked mostly calm.  Oscar was in full pre-hunt mode, flapping his wings, bobbing up and down while looking all around.  He flew to Tree #5 and sat facing me, so I was under inspection of two baby owls.  He seemed to be waiting for Othello to join him and I knew that I'd already caused enough disruption in their daily routine so I came in the house.  All this happened around 8:15, so it was getting dark quickly.  I hope Olive will forgive my intrusion and come back.
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