What an afternoon!

[James Phillips]

As we returned home today, we saw an adult bald eagle over Athens, Mercer County.

When we were about to enter our house, Judy looked up and pointed out an osprey circling over the house. While I attempted to line it up with my phone for a photo, Judy looked over at our screech owl nest box and asked if something was in the hole.

I said it was probably a squirrel but went for the binoculars anyway. To my surprise, a gray screech owl was perched in the opening. We watch d it for nearly 30 minutes from our kitchen window.

We looked away and when we looked again it was gone. So, we lined up two chairs, in the shade where we could watch the box. We discussed whether it flew or was still in the box. Then the chickadees, titmice & nuthatches gathered around the box fussing, we decided  it was in the box. They gave up and went on their way after several minutes. While we we sitting there, a sharp-shinned hawk landed a few feet away from us but didn't stay long.

We went on about our business but checked the box several times over the next couple of hours. The owl returned to the hole around 6pm. We moved to the end porch where we could peek around the corner and see the box.

During the next hour, the bird was in the hole. On two occasions, we could only see it's rear end visible in the hole. We didn't see it leave, but as it got dark there was no bird in the hole.

Pretty exciting stuff.

Jim & Judy Phillips

Summers County

Pipestem, WV