Although I live in northeastern Minnesota, my Great Horned Owlets must feel they are kindred spirits to Australians!  The owlets fledged six days ago, and while I expected the older youngster to fly, I was surprised when the younger left the nest the that very same night. However over the course of the next few days I learned I was ‘not” wrong. The younger owlet wanted to leave the nest, but it really could not yet fly. This bird took a “walk about” each night, which is not unusual for many species of owls. In the six years I have watched Les and Amy raise a family next to Amity Creek, there have been owlets on the ground three times (50%).

How could I tell the youngest owlet took a walk? It was quite simple if one knows what to look for … I found the owlet for three days straight at almost eye level (lower than the nest). The young bird was perched on dead logs / branches that were long but stretched at an angle to the ground. The owlet had obviously used these bridges to climb back up into some trees.

Days 41 to 46 of the Owlet’s Lives

The Youngest Owlet on its Walkabout (photos taken over 4 days)

With yesterday morning both youngsters are now flying. The walkabout is over. I now find the Great Horned Owl family all together at the tops of some of the tallest white pines, which are NOT reachable via walking!

Up High in the Tree … the Older Sibling and then the entire family. (photos taken over 4 days, but the youngest owl did not join the party up high till the final day)