[EBB Sightings] Western Screech Owl

Hi Steve and EBB Birders . . . .

We also have a screech owl.  Ours took up residence in our owl box a  
couple of months ago.  The box is attached to a redwood tree just 12  
or 15 feet from the upstairs deck, however the close proximity to the  
house doesn't seem to bother the owl at all.  Just a week or so before  
this owl moved in, my husband had cleaned and refurbished the nest box  
and installed an inexpensive Radio Shack surveillance camera inside  
the top of the box, so now we can watch the owl's comings and goings  
on a small TV screen.  I was under the impression that owls pretty  
much sleep all day, but I can tell you that this one does not.  It  
takes lots of "owl naps," but it also preens, stretches, and shakes or  
just looks around and occasionally hops up and puts its head out of  
the box.  It usually leaves the box at dusk and returns the next  
morning a little before dawn.  As it gets dark earlier, the owl leaves  
earlier.

Actually, this is the third time we've had screech owls.  In previous  
years we were treated to owlets, two fledged two years ago, and three  
earlier this year.  There are few things as adorable as screech owlets  
poking their heads out of the hole or when they become "branchers"  
once they vacate the nest and aren't quite ready to take off with  
their parents.  We've never been aware of an adult occupying the nest  
box this far in advance of nesting season and are hoping it sticks  
around to treat us to another screech owl family next year.

Marilyn Trabert
Walnut Creek