nature

Please pardon the tardiness of the summary, but another good year for screech owls nesting. 5 sites with 16+ owlets fledging. And our second year with a successful barred owl nest!

Screech Owls

Total: Owlets 16+

Total Screech Owlets Since 2010: 165+

Barred Owls: Site 2 (w/ replacement box)

2 owlets fledged around 6/2/2024 (photo courtesy of owner)

SCREECH OWLS by Sites

Site 1, none, den of flying squirrels over winter.

Site 2, New location 2024, Utilizing new box design that will slowly be used exclusively. Male Red, Female Gray

2 owlets fledged 3/21/24 3 eggs (1rst egg 3/17/24) (Photos courtesy of Rick Cruzner)

Site 3, Male and Female Gray. 1+ owlets fledged ~5/28/24

Site 4 none, presumed GHOW nearby nest screech pair moved away or preyed upon

Site 5, Male and Female Gray, 4 owlets fledged April 13, 2024 (photo courtesy of owner)

Site 6, no, larger owls around

Site 7, ? presumed no nesting.

Site 8, Male and Female Red, ~1rst egg prior to 4/9/2/24, 5 owlets Fledged 5/16 through 5/20/2024(Photos courtesy of Phil Brown)

Site 9, Male and Female Gray: First Egg 3/16/24, 4 owlets fledged night of 4/20/24, but lost 2 owlets after fledging.

Site 1.

Relocated Site 1 about 2 years ago, Recently was looking to upgrade the box here as well, but before I swapped it out for a new version of squirrel resistant box, I did a quick check of the the older box so I would not be surprised on a ladder, good thing too as a den of 3 flying squirrels had moved in. I have seen flying squirrels on cam at night in boxes, but I have never had them set up shop in a box. So this was a first. I felt bad I had to dislodge them but they quickly scurried and found natural hollows to shelter in, one did pause long enough on a tree trunk to get a good pic as well. This also means no screech owls around or using the box, as flying squirrels are small enough for a Screech to prey upon flying squirrels.