Year 4 with Les and Amy, my Great Horned Owl parents is now truly kicked off! I think I must now have hiked over 40 times in search of this year’s home … most of that time at night. I actually had inspected the specific tree in which the nest is located many times, but even this afternoon when I went back during the daytime I almost failed to spot the Great Horned Owl nest.

I first noticed an area in the tree that looked like a nest, but after ten minutes plus of inspection by binoculars, I could find nothing. For a short time I went to inspect some other trees, but kept coming back in my mind to this tree in particular. I knew I had heard lots of hooting at night in the vicinity of this white pine, but even though I inspected the base of the pine, I could find zero whitewash. Finally I found an owl pellet and it was “game on”! I redoubled my efforts and eventually found an angle from which I could see the horns, one eye, and the tail. I knew from experience the Mom lies very flat on the nest both for the warmth of the eggs, and her own protection. Given how cold this winter has been including today, I suspect nesting was a bit delayed this year, but “mom owl” has likely been on the nest for a few weeks.

Molly even agreed to move our dinner hour this week (she is not a birder, but she likes our owls). Since Sunday I have been hiking every night shortly after sundown, putting myself in position to listen for the first hoot of the night. Each morning I would come back during the daytime and inspect my focus area.

Amy … the Great Horned Owl Mom on her Nest!