owls

[scott]

Hi All,

Just a note on timing... Northern Pygmy- Owls are about to fledge. I
have been monitoring a pair of owls since their courtship began in
February.

The young will soon fledge. I can hear at least three young in the nest
as they chitter when their mother brings food to feed to them. So far I
have watched the father bring in a Deer Mouse, Pygmy-Nuthatch, Sparrow
species (probably a White-crowned). The sparrow was only a body and
legs, no wings or tail and a Long-tailed Vole. The male arrives near
the nest then calls to the female who comes from the nest to take the
prey item and deliver it to the young inside the nest. The male seldom,
if ever, enters the nest.

The little ones have not been seen peering from the nest cavity yet, but
this is because their mother has been in the nest with them.
This afternoon she was perched a few yards from the nest keeping a look
out for any potential danger.

Scott Rashid
Estes Park