A Sunbathing Mr. Barred Owl Drives Mr. GCFL Bananas

[Alfred Maley]

At 2:50 PM this afternoon the male Great Crested Flycatcher that is nesting in a Wood Duck box began screaming “Predator” and just wouldn’t stop. I went out to the back deck and Mr. Barred Owl was spread eagle/owl on the sunny lawn, watching the sky for danger through half closed eyes. The flycatcher nest is only 20 yards away.

This is the 3rd time I’ve seen Mr. Owl sunbathing over the last few years, but I expect that many species of owl engage in the behavior when they need to.

At 3 PM the owl lifted off the lawn and repaired to the crabapple trees. Both male and female owls have decided that they are not going to nest this year, no matter how I try to fatten them up. Perhaps they sense from their occasional hunting trips that their children would have a hard time surviving this Fall and Winter.

But having owls dining only ten feet away has allowed me to eavesdrop on their dinner conversation. I have heard a soft trill (similar to a Screech Owl) for which I have no interpretation, but a soft Wup Wup Wup by the male suggests “Try the ratling (weaned rat), it tastes just like veal”

Al Maley
Hampstead NH