Headed toward empty nest
Widget seems to be maturing quickly. At night he prances around in the Owl Box, flaps his wings, displaying gorgeous adult feathers, and loudly sounds off, we presume to call his parents to bring food. The UStream video chat feature is keeping us nicely informed about nocturnal activities like feeding- but egad, how is it that there are viewers at 0230? Is owl watching an insomniac's domain?
Have heard the next phase is " branching"- apparently the young owls will hop out of the box to nearby branches- and then back into the box again? There seems to be a lot of " pouncing"- he/she jumps on items in the box with talons out, which we suppose to be hunting practice. We have some food set aside for Widget in the freezer in case the parents stop showing up.
Hello! Did I miss where we can watch your owl box? I didn't see the link, but possibly missed it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLaurie you can watch Widget at - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/granite-hills-owls
DeleteI have been in contact with the HOP (Hungry Owl Project) and as long as food is placed in the box as Widget is branching and fledging if the parents are not around, Widget should be ok.
ReplyDeleteThis is HOP's response - As fledglings, they will start to hunt on their own. We still bring them dinner for quite some time after they start leaving the nest (as mom and dad would have done). Progressively, they return to the box less and less and finally move on into total independence.
I do hope the pet store gave you instructions on how to thaw the supplements to give to Widget.
Yes Dr Bob many of us in the owl community stay up all hrs to watch and count the amount of food that is brought into the nest. Those who find it fascinating know that the very wee hrs of the morning is when the action happens. :)
Thanks again for your efforts to provide for dear Widget and yes stepping out of the nest and branching is the next phase for Widget
Violetmoon6
Looks like Widget has left the nest.Should we expect a return?
DeleteLooks as though Widget returned for a brief stopover then went out again-945pm
DeleteAt 12:25 am on Sunday morning, a large rat was dropped off and Widget ate it. I was able to record most of it at http://youtu.be/HRBB0rywL3U
ReplyDeleteCouldn't get the Youtube to play, but thanks for doing this!
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