Not only is FuzzBall alive (see yesterday’s post), but the little owlet is now fledged! At 6:15 am this morning I found the Great Horned Owlet across the creek way up high in an extremely tall white pine tree. The only way to reach the perch FuzzBall is using today is via “flight mode”. The day an owlet fledges is a HUGE accomplishment, and soon it must start learning how to hunt.
The two images given below were taken about 2 minutes apart. A distances of about 125 yards separates the two owlets today. Momma Owl tends to find perches where she may watch both of her youngsters. Poppa Owl normally dekes the crows away from the area. In addition to crows, FuzzBall learned this morning what it was like to have a Merlin take two dive bombing runs at it.
FuzzBall Fledged in White Pine Tree
Meanwhile junior is still only branching back in the nest tree. I estimate junior is about 5 to 7 days younger than FuzzBall.
Junior Branching in Nest Tree
Rich,
To find Fuzzball one day and have the fledging the next day?! Excellent timing. S/He waiting for you to return from Canada for activity must be just inspiring you to continue your time on ‘watch’.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
I agree! The owlets now become much harder to find. However, I do know their parents favorite hunting areas.
Wow! Go Fuzzball! It is amazing that he/she survived on and near the ground for so long.