 June
spent almost an hour attempting to hunt near the nest this morning, but
finally gave up and went back inside when it became clear that the
swarming birds that surrounded her were not going to let her sneak up on
anything. Back in the nest box, Spencer and Penelope hadn't helped any as
they contributed to the noise by wheezing for her several times each
minutes. They took turns with each calling about ten times in a row and
then resting while the other assumed the duty. The wheezing that was once
so weak that it could only be heard by the microphones inside the nest,
can now be clearly heard a couple of hundred feet from the nest, and
probably much further if you have owl's hearing. It didn't do them any
good, however, as they again had to wait until it was dark to get their
first meal of the day. Ward now appears to be dropping his catches through
the door, where they sit on the floor until June comes back and feeds them
to the owlets. She also seems to enjoy teasing them by calling to them
with her wailing call from near the nest, but not approaching. This drives
them into a frenzy as they scamper around the nest flapping their wings
and wheezing. When she finally did enter the nest for the first time at
about 9pm, it sounded more like an all-out war than a meal. Feeding them
is truly an act of courage on June's part. |