Hungry Day

It looks like it could be a difficult year for the owls. For a second day in a row, there was no food left in the nest at sunrise, and Ward was unable to make any daytime deliveries. As a result, June's whining was almost non-stop as the hungry owlets wheezed for food. The sounds of crows and smaller birds fussing to the south of the nest suggested that Ward was trying, but having no luck. June, meanwhile, climbed up into the doorway several times, where she is seen attempting to hunt from the nest box. On each occasion, the squawking of jays and smaller birds alerted her potential prey before she was able to pounce.

As a result, the owlets again went for more than twelve hours without a meal before Ward made his first delivery just after dark. He followed this up with an incredible eight deliveries in the next hour as the owlets enjoyed a non-stop feeding session. While owlets this young are accustomed to eating every few hours, Spencer and Penelope may just have to get used to eating on an adult's schedule. The absence of morning leftovers can only be explained by Ward's continued reliance on smaller prey. I'm not sure just what the long-term effects on the owlets will be, but Ward has proven resourceful in the past and I can only hope that he will come through again. Only time will tell.

Back To: May Calendar