Owl Update

I’ve been back to “Owl Wood” the last few days to observe the owls. The day after seeing the two owlets there was only one in the same bush and the parent was perched on a different tree. 

The next day I returned again and this time I spotted the owlet on a different bush but there was no sign of the parent. Again, no sign of the other owlet.

Then on Saturday my hubby and oft FBL carrier spotted the parent perched on a broken conifer branch and then I managed to spot the owlet in another bush again, this time more under cover and extremely well camouflaged. I’ve been reading that owlets can climb bushes and small trees using their sharp talons but cannot fly till more of their adult feathers come through.

I’m wondering if the first bush I saw the owlets in was too exposed and one of the owlets was taken by a predator. I have seen foxes in this wood and read that foxes can climb up small trees! Or maybe an owlet would be prey for a buzzard? I’ve also read that owls will kill other owls for territory purposes. 

Today I returned to the wood in the quiet of early morning. At first no sign of parent or owlet. But then I saw the parent perched on a branch next to the path I was walking on. It was looking at me and II knew if I tried to lift my camera for a shot it would fly off so I just enjoyed gazing at it. Then it did fly off, first to one tree where smaller birds were mobbing it, then it zigzagged back and up into a larger tree. The birds around went nuts, making loud alarm and flying as close as they dared to the owl. The owl tucked its head right in and held fast. After five minutes it was left in peace. It needs its sleep during the day after hunting all night and with one or two owlets to feed. 

The first time I ever saw an owl it was this noisy commotion which alerted me to an owl’s presence. So if you hear a “brouhaha” going on in a wood take a closer look, you too might get lucky and see a beautiful owl.