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Post by fantastic5 on May 16, 2018 7:37:25 GMT -5
Well, yesterday, my wife wanted to see what was going on in the owl box. Doing some research, we had learned that clutch survival rate to fledging is somewhere around 87%, so she wanted to see how they were doing. That estimate, based upon other info I've seen may be highly optimistic at the end of the day. Also, we've seen info that if food supply is short, the young owls may even cannibalize one of their own if need be. Quite frankly, I can't figure out how the adults exited the box I built. But, they clearly have, as these owlets would have never survived in the first place. I'm left wondering if the young ones can figure their way out. Back to yesterday...As soon as she got to the top of the ladder and placed her phone near the opening, we heard movement, clicking, and ultimately hissing. This is how they look now. Coloration is more distinct, and they are looking more like adults. Maybe they'll be leaving soon. At least I hope they will. Thank you so much for the update! They sure are growing and filling out. Looks like the parents are doing a good job. My hawks have fledged, so I don't get to see them as often. But this last weekend I got to see one of the adults, carrying a squirrel, flying back towards the nest with the two youngsters in hot pursuit. It was all their noise that caught my attention. Hopefully they will do a good job teaching the young hawks to hunt. It's always sad when they start a second clutch and stop feeding the first set. The youngsters always spend a lot of effort of time trying to get back to the nest to be fed, only to be run off again. |
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Post by rockjunquie on May 16, 2018 9:39:31 GMT -5
aDave, loved the video. They look so curious, except for the one who looked like he was looking for a fight.
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Post by MsAli on May 16, 2018 9:49:49 GMT -5
I absolutely love that. They look healthy and ready to fly
Must be lots of mice around for them
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Post by aDave on May 16, 2018 10:10:09 GMT -5
I absolutely love that. They look healthy and ready to fly Must be lots of mice around for them Probably mice, rats, and rabbits primarily. The property itself is about 12 acres of former orange orchard. There are still a couple dozen orange trees on the property, but the remainder was cleared a few years ago. Now it's just grass and brush that will get knocked down soon. While there are houses on three sides of the property, it's also adjacent to plenty of open space. |
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Post by MsAli on May 16, 2018 10:15:18 GMT -5
It would be cool to have a game camera set up and watch them 24/7.
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Post by aDave on May 16, 2018 10:38:30 GMT -5
It would be cool to have a game camera set up and watch them 24/7. We actually considered that when we discovered them, but we didn't want to disturb them by doing an install. Power would also be an issue and would probably have to be solar/battery. A trail cam was also an option, but there's no good spot to mount it nearby without drawing attention to it. It's kind of in an open area and could be subject to theft, and that's probably the biggest deterrent to doing anything. |
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Post by MsAli on May 16, 2018 12:22:17 GMT -5
Sad that people would steal it.
I have a great picture of friend who put a trail cam up to scout for bears.
Now I want my parents to get some for their yard
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Post by aDave on Jun 4, 2018 16:26:17 GMT -5
Update...wife went to the property yesterday and had a look inside the owl box. Of the five owlets that were originally there, only two remain. Here's what they look like now.
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Post by MsAli on Jun 4, 2018 16:53:27 GMT -5
Wonder why just the 2 are hanging around still
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Post by aDave on Jun 4, 2018 16:59:50 GMT -5
Wonder why just the 2 are hanging around still Perhaps they are the youngest of the five. From what I've read, eggs are laid every 2-3 days, so there could be an age difference of 10-12 days or so between the youngest and oldest in a clutch this size. We don't know when the first fledged, so it's hard to know what's going on for sure. |
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Post by MsAli on Jun 4, 2018 17:06:02 GMT -5
Wonder why just the 2 are hanging around still Perhaps they are the youngest of the five. From what I've read, eggs are laid every 2-3 days, so there could be an age difference of 10-12 days or so between the youngest and oldest in a clutch this size. We don't know when the first fledged, so it's hard to know what's going on for sure. Ah that makes sense
They look very healthy -
Give them a week or so and they will probably be off as well
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