March 27, 2010

         Olive continues to confound us.  Today, just for grins, I checked the box at 5:50PM.  It was bright and sunny and warm.  Olive was in the opening.  Maybe it was too warm in the box - I think it got to around 70°F today.  Here's the astonishing part.  She sat in the opening just gazing placidly around, for over one hour!  The resident Bewick's wrens didn't faze her, neither did a flock of frightened Bushtits.  She just sat.  The absolutely aggravating presence of our resident pair of Scrub jays did make her retreat into the box, but a volley of four well-thrown, if I do say so myself, tennis balls sent the jays packing.  Now she's out hunting somewhere.  I took a photo of her each time I checked the box from 5:55 until around 6:30. She retains her firm grip on my heart.

March 25, supplemental

        The time is 7:15PM and Olive, contrary to the earlier report, did not leave the box.  It's still very light outside and I found it hard to believe that she would flaunt her presence by flying around in what is, essentially, daylight.  She had, apparently, ducked back into the box, possibly because of whatever set off the light.  (Unfortunately, in spite of my best efforts, vermin cats occasionally wander into our yard, possibly not knowing that a mean old lady, who throws things at cats, lives here.  I keep hoping, hoping, hoping that either a Great Horned Owl or a Barn Owl will happen by and will take whatever feline creature they find here.)  But I digress.  Olive lives on and will probably hunt another night.  The previously remaining questions remain.

March 25, 2010

         No photo with this - it is now raining to beat whatever band is out there to beat.  Starting time of this report: 5:55PM.  Weather: quite cool, totally overcast, winds calm.

         During West Virginia's win over Washington, I zipped out to the "blind" to see if Olive was checking things out.  At 5:55PM, she was fully in the opening - I could even see her little claws holding onto the bottom of the entrance hole.  She is unbelievably alert and has the loveliest yellow eyes.  It was still very light out and there were 2 House finches at the feeders, which, BTW, she was watching with great interest!  Suddenly, two scurrilous Scrub jays appeared at the feeder, sending everyone else hurrying away.  One of the jays spotted Olive, who looked like she was blooming at the opening of the box.  She wisely disappeared into the box and the jay lost interest.  A few minutes later, just before the rain started, Olive re-appeared at the opening.  I've rigged the scope so that, unless she hears us come outside, she has no idea we're watching.  She seemed content just to look around and wait for whenever was the appropriate moment to fly.

         The game became more interesting, so Olive wasn't watched for several minutes and, when Ivan went out around 6:45, it was raining pretty hard and she was gone.  Our motion-sensitive light had come on, so we speculate that she flew through the sensitive area and made the light come on.  Did not, however, actually see her leave.  Her breeding state still eludes us.  Eggs?  Babies?  No clue.  We continue our ephemeral vigil.

March 17, 2010

         On Monday, Olive gave me a fright as I was watching her from behind our home-made "blind."  A pair of Bewick's wrens was very upset after she poked her head out.  I might add that these are my Bewick's wrens.  As I watched her through the spotting scope, she was obviously watching the wrens.  For a couple of panicky moments, I thought she was considering having a wren for supper, but she eventually lost interest and resumed her placid stare at the outside world.  Did I mention that the wrens belong here?  To us?  One of these days, we're going to have to open the box after she leaves to see if anything - like an egg or two - is in there.  Until then, we just enjoy looking at her.

March 6, 2010

         Finally got a decent photo of our Screech Owl as she prepared to leave the box for the night.  (We changed her name to Olive for obvious reasons - the olive branch is still in the box!)  Took this photo on Thursday (3/4) at 5:38PM.  She seems totally unconcerned about our watching her.  I've watched the box each evening to see if she leaves.  When (and if) she doesn't leave, it may mean she's on eggs!

Feb. 27, 2010 - The story of her name . . . .

        About 10 days ago, before we actually KNEW that there were any owls in residence, I noticed an olive branch protruding from the entrance hole.  This caused me a fair bit of worry because all, and I mean ALL, the info I read about the nesting habits of the Western Screech Owl stated, unequivocally, that they bring no nesting material into the box.  Someone brought that olive branch into the box, and when I first noticed it, I was afraid that there might be rogue squirrels that had taken over the box.  My fears were obliterated when I spotted the female and actually photographed her next to the olive branch.  

Feb 21, 2010

        Ivan and I are pleased to report that, at 6:05PM, our WSO, whom I'm naming Oliver/Opal, flew from the box after spending, literally, 10 minutes watching Ivan and me as we sat, transfixed, gazing at the top of his/her head and eyes.  S/He stood very still for 9 minutes, allowing us a view of only the very top of his/her head.  Then s/he became alert, eyes open, looking up, then left, right.  Finally, little claws appeared at the bottom edge of the opening and the owl's entire - and, may I say, gorgeous - head appeared, filling the opening.  Within seconds, s/he flew to his/her right . . . and disappeared into the evening.  We watched the opening of the box for an additional 5 minutes, hoping that a second owl would appear, then fly away.  Alas and alack, we have but one owl in the box.

Feb. 20, 2010 - First sighting

         I can hardly contain myself!  This is so exciting!  After 2 years of waiting, we have OWLS!!  A pair of Western Screech Owls has decided that our nest box suits them, and at least one has taken up residence (yes, I know you need two for eggs to be formed!).  If there is indeed a pair, they should be laying eggs in the next week or so, and then things should get REALLY interesting!  Anyway, this is our first documented evidence that these cute little predators have taken a liking to our owl nest box!  Fingers crossed . . . !