Monday, April 11, 2022

A Check on the Great Horned Owls and Other Observations

 8 April 2022 

     We intend to make regular checks on the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) nest, and will post pictures so that you can monitor the progress of the owlets along with us.
     This morning, a week after seeing the nest for the first time, there was a noticeable difference in the appearance of the youngsters. They have grown and are rapidly acquiring their feathers; in fact, at first we thought that there was only one bird in the nest, and  were sad to contemplate that the other might have come to a bad end.


     The nest seems unusually small for a bird this size, and we considered the possibility that one of the owlets had fallen over the side of the nest.
     We were greatly relieved, however, when looking at the nest from the rear we saw that two birds were present, perched back-to-back.


     One owlet is smaller than its sibling and was completely blocked when first we saw the nest.
     A loud chorus of agitated American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) led us to the location of one of the adults, perched at a discreet distance from the nest, but able to offer protection if needed.


     After enjoying their company for about fifteen to twenty minutes (they were completely indifferent to us!) we bade them farewell with a promise to return next week. By then they may be out of the nest exploring branches. 


5 April, 2022
Benjamin Park Trail, Waterloo, ON

     Recently municipal by-laws were changed to permit people living in subdivisions to have chickens in their backyard.
     We were delighted to see that someone had taken advantage of the situation and had installed a chicken coop, and the domestic variant of Gallus gallus was wandering at will.


     This is an ideal location because the houses back onto a natural area and the fowl are free to scratch in the soil as they would in their native habitat.  We watched them rolling in the dirt in sheer pleasure, presumably dislodging ectoparasites in the process.
     An Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was keenly alert to the new goings-on in his neighbourhood.


     American Robin (Turdus migratorius), always common, seems to be exceptionally abundant this year.


     This tree in an advanced state of decay bears the marks of wood-boring insects that have invaded the cambium.


     They give the impression of contour lines on a topographical map.
     Robins, among all the birds that we see, seem to take inordinate joy from bathing.


     It's always great to see a Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus).


5 April, 2022
Mill Race Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     Tuesday walks, known as "Rambles with David" are ostensibly about birding, but have morphed more into a social event, a gabfest in fact, with little attention paid to the birds.
     Here are a few highlights from the Mill Race Trail.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
 
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis)

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Lily

     And here is what so many of you have been waiting for - new pictures of Lily.





     In just two months she will be two years old. What a princess she has become!
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

60 comments:

  1. ...you must live in owl heaven. The Emerald Ash Borer is epidemic here, I'm cutting down 25 trees. Thanks for sharing your little cutie.

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  2. Hari OM
    I love how the owl sibs seem almost to be hugging each other - and one hopes to see both make it to full fleding! A delightful diary of your sightings, David.. but wait, Lily is so grown up now AND now we find she has has Viszla companion whose aristocratic bearing is matched by its coat! Lovely Monday smiles. YAM xx
    I=Introspection

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  3. Hi sweet and cute Lily..I love your beautiful and bright smile :-)) Is that your dog? What's his name?
    Thank you for sharing those gorgeous owl pictures with us, David.

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  4. Beautitul photos of the owls, David. They are very special and very pretty. Yes, the nest looked very small in size.
    So nice to see Lily again! She is growing up so fast.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  5. Hello,
    Wow, Lily is almost two. It has been a fast two years. She is adorable. Love the cute Owlets, great variety of birds and photos. Take care, have a great new week!

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  6. In our small town, chickens are allowed, but not roosters. It's funny how often I hear one however...maybe past the town limits!

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    1. Is the ban on roosters due to a noise ordinance?

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  7. Le temps passe vraiment trop vite, Lily va déjà avoir 2 ans!
    Les hiboux grandissent vite aussi. Bonne journée

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  8. Before I even read your post about the owls I noticed the change in your photos. They are growing fast. I guess they have to, don't they? And I bet your rambles are fun, even if they are pretty chatty. It is good to see Lily too. And is that Lily's pup? That photo of her being held up by you and her mom is great. You've got to love that smile. Good thing human babies don't grow as fast as owl babies or we wouldn't get to enjoy them as long as we do, and even that doesn't seem very long. Happy new week David. Hugs-Erika

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  9. Beautiful pictures!!....I love your picture of the woodpecker....I have them in my backyard, and when I'm enjoying a cup of herbal tea in my garden, I can hear them.....your granddaughter is beautiful....enjoy your Princess every day.....they grow too fast in my opinion!!....I love your dog!!....Abrazotes, Marcela

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  10. Good to see the owlets and Lily are doing well!

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  11. Lovely to see the owlets and glad that they have both surived. You have seen a loot of birds and other animals on your walk. Lily has grown so much, a real little girl having fun outdoors. Have a great day, enjoy your walks, big hugs, Valerie

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  12. Thank you for the update on the Great Horned Owls and their young, David. I'm deloighted to hear that all seems OK.

    I was amused, but not surprised, to hear of the developing character of 'Rambles with David'.
    The title seems most appropriate.

    Lily's a very happy-looking soul.

    Best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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  13. Thanks for sharing the nice photos of the owls, they are beuatiful creatures. Lily is growing so fast. Time flies when you are enjoying life. Enjoy your day, David.

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  14. Owl chicks are very well fed.

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  15. Yet another wonderful post. I was thrilled to see that both owlets have survived - and hope they continue to thrive.
    Rambling with you would be SUCH a treat - though I doubt that the gabfest distracts from the marvels of nature.
    Lily has grown soooo fast.

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  16. Delighted that we are getting a chance to follow virtually the young Great Horned Owls growing up. What a pleasure.

    Gosh is Lily almost 2 already.

    Best wishes to you both - Cheers Diane

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  17. ¡Madre mía! ¡qué preciosa está Lily! Parece una mujercita, tan contenta y tan risueña de volver a veros.
    Me encantó ver a ese par de pichones como van cogiendo volumen a medida que pasan los días y los padres bien cerca vigilando, unas entrañables imágenes.
    Gracias querido amigo por mostrarnos tanta belleza, tus reportajes son un canto a la belleza de la naturaleza.
    Un gran abrazo estimado profesor David de tu siempre amigo Juan.

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  18. hello David
    nice to see that there are two young birds, I'm curious about the further course and how they grow...
    Greetings Frank

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  19. The birds are wonderful as usual, especially the owlets. However, Lily is the star of this post as you know. How quickly those two years flew by.

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  20. Another enjoyable "Ramble"!
    There is always so much to see once we escape the confines of our "civilized" abodes. From majestic trees to the birds and animals to the smallest of insects.

    Thank you for taking the time to share it all with us.

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  21. I know it is a bit of a cliché, but those owlets look so cute :)

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  22. Lily walks! Maybe you've shown her walk before, but I missed it! That bright pink parka makes me smile. I'm so glad the owls are doing well. So many wonderful sightings. I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever be losing our parkas and winter hats for spring!

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    1. She not only walks, Jeanie, she runs, jumps, climbs, splashes in pools and plays in mud - in other words, a normal, healthy, energetic, curious child!

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  23. I always enjoy seeing the owls and birds but yes ... it is always a delight to see photographs of dear Lily. Time passes by so quickly and it is hard to believe that in just two months time she will be two years old. She certainly is a little princess :)

    All the best Jan

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  24. It is lovely to see how well the two owlets are flourishing - their parents are obviously finding plenty of nourishing titbits for them to enjoy.
    How time flies when you are having fun - Lily is becoming quite the young lady. Her companions look very happy too.

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  25. It's hard not to be happy around Lily.

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  26. They are spectacular birds! I heard a couple of barred owls talking to one another in our forest the other day.

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  27. Lily has you wrapped around her little finger.

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  28. Great to see Lily again, and also report to you the Great Blue Herons are back at their rookery near me, in Peninsula, and people are stopping to watch them refurbishing nests. Soon they will be laying and sitting and fledging. So much going on.

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    1. I know you love herons, Joanne, so I'm happy to hear that the colony is doing well.

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  29. Lovely post, as usual. And nice to see how Lily has grown! :)

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  30. The tree (and Lily of course) stole the whole "show".
    No more to say ;-)

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  31. I love the owlets, and Lily looks so happy!

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  32. Hello David, wow this is so nice to see the nest with two youngsters. These are impresive Owls as well. I do hope the two will grow up and fledge the nest. Those woodpeckers are amazing the Red-bellied Woodpecker is a little jewel. Another jewel is Lilly. She has grown so much. Already two years old. Time flies.
    All the best from Belgium.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  33. The great horned owl and its babies are interesting to check on. I used to rear chickens at the side of my house before I turned into my garden. It was fun to watch them searching for food in the ground. Cute Lily. A beautiful princess.

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  34. I am very happy about your promise to follow the owls and to show us more great photos.
    And thanks for the update with Lily. I was starting to miss her. She's certainly grown and still delightfully happy (at least when your're photographing)
    Expectant greetings, Lisbeth

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  35. Great photos, as always, and your blog has a neat new look.
    The adult owl looks fascinating, a mysterious creature from ancient times.
    All the best to the princess and her family. :)

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  36. Thanks for the visit to my blog. I enjoyed your photos. Right now I'm listening to the birds and frogs and watching the squirrels get frustrated because they can't figure out how to get to the bird feeder.

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  37. I'm loving the owl updates. Lily is beautiful!

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  38. Una alegría volver a ver a Lily. Me encantó ver los búhos, y deseando verlos crecer. Abrazos querido amigo David.

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  39. What an enjoyable visit with the birds, especially the owls. Our news just showed an owlet that had fallen prematurely from the nest being replaced to rejoin others still there. Lovely Lily!

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  40. Hi David,
    It is quite a luxury to be able to observe young owls in your vicinity. It is amazing how fast these can grow. I wonder how they look like next week.
    Greetings, Kees

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  41. Beautiful pictures ! And blog ! I really enjoy birds too and try to make them comfortable to be around my house (with water, food and shelter, birdhouses and trees).
    Lily is really cute !
    Have a nice day and thanks for your visit !
    Anna
    Gascoigne- Gascogne comme d'Artagnan...

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  42. Those owls are growing up even faster than young Lily, but not so prettily. If it were not for crows making a racket I don't think I'd have ever seen a Tawny Owl.

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  43. Maravilloso reportaje, he disfrutado mucho viendo y leyendo. Las fotos de los pollos de búho en el nido de cuervo me fascinan. Un fuerte abrazo desde el norte de España.

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  44. Hi David.

    Beautiful Owls those are.
    Nice the Squirrel and the American Robin is really super beautiful.

    How nice Lily is back and a dog.
    She is so nice Lily and great to see something from her again.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  45. You won't see Owls in Hawaii. The government is trying to eradicate the feral chickens, which are considered a nuisance.

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    1. I hope they expand their eradication efforts to the feral pigs, goats, rats etc. The flora and fauna of Hawaii has been devastated by these creatures.

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  46. Bonjour David,
    La photo du Merle d'Amérique est splendide ! Bonne chance aux petits hiboux
    Quelle chipie ta Lily ! Future ornithologue ?
    Bisous David

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    1. Future ornithologue? J'espère que oui, Nathalie!

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  47. Lily is so cute! Wonderful nature photos too David.

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  48. I hardly can believe Lily is nearly two. Clearly, time does fly when we're having fun, and that young one is learning about some of the best kinds of fun! I have to mention how much I enjoyed the photo of the owlets with the branch curving above them. The owls are interesting enough on their own, but that image is especially pleasing photographically. It's a nice composition.

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  49. David - a great start and a great finish to this post! Miss Lily is growing up fast!

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  50. Hi David! ☺ I loved seeing the owlets, aren't they just sweet? I'm so glad you saw the two of them! I loved seeing the robin taking a bath too! ☺

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  51. I am enjoying every post on owls that you do, and this one on the babies is so sweet. Speaking of sweet, little Lily is adorable!

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