I was the only regular this evening, but unfortunately a paid “Owl Tour” attracted about fifteen onlookers.  I really had hoped we could keep the owls under the radar for two more weeks, especially given the signs that the parents might be starting work on a second brood.  It’s too bad the owls’ privacy was sold out for five dollars a head.

All three owls were in the Willow again this evening.  The parents together on a center branch and the fledgling far away.   The fledgling seems to be more and more independent each day.

A repeat of Friday, starting out in the Willow, a brief visit to the nest hole and then they’re off for the night.

Although the rain had stopped, it was still cool and gray this evening.  Jean was already there when I arrived, and Chris with Fig joined us later.  We had lots of stretching as they woke up and saw Trident make a quick return to the nest cavity, which was a surprise.

I ended up being the only regular at the fly out on Thursday.  It was
cloudy, with a few rain drops, and turned colder as it got darker.  A
birder on a bike, stopped by and go to see his first Eastern
Screech-Owl.

I couldn’t capture pictures of the behavior, but soon after this picture was taken the fledgling “caught” a sweet gum seed pod, and flew and played with it just like a Red-tailed hawk fledgling would play with a stick.  It was fun to watch.

The parents soon joined the fledgling, and did some warm up flying between trees.  They ended up in a tree with leaf cover and I lost them.

Today, marked one full month of study. Soon, we’ll be unable to keep track of them as the leaf cover will be too thick. It’s been fun watching them.

I was the only one up at the nest when I went up on Wednesday, although I’m sure Chris was by in the morning and evening with her dog Fig.

It was raining when I arrived at 6 p.m., so I didn’t stay for the fly out.  The owls are getting harder to find in the Willow, as its leaves fill out.

Today was the first day, all three owls spent the evening outside, roosting on a tall Willow.  The Fledgling was in the center, protected on each side by a parent.  There were lots of owl watchers this evening, Chris, Marie, Jim, Noreen, Jean and myself along with some park visitors.