Back To: May Calendar
5-10-02: Ward continued with his non-stop hunting today as June remained in the nest feeding and preening the owlets. She is coaxing them to eat larger pieces of prey, so that she will not have to spend so much time chopping it up for them. This morning, she almost got Spencer to swallow a small whole mouse, but he gave up after a long struggle. He is, however, not far away from being able to do it . There was still food left in the nest at sunset, which shows that the owlets got plenty to eat. Ward made his first delivery just one hour after dark..
5-6-06: Update: Things look much better this morning. Most of one very large critter is stored in the nest and the owlets are being fed regularly. No whining necessary. (10am)
5-1-02 update: After a quiet day, Ward showed up at 6:10 pm with a shrew. For the first time, June stored it on the floor rather than eating it, which suggested that hatching was imminent. The big surprise, however, came when Ward returned at 10pm and called June out. While she was outside hooting with Ward, a much louder version of last night's peeping could be heard along with a new but quieter peeping from the other egg. This indicates that one of the owlets has penetrated the shell with its beak and that the other is not far behind. June should be helping them out of their shells at any time now. I will post pictures as soon as she moves out of the way for long enough to allow a picture. (11:30pm)
5-1-02: There was no prey stored on the floor this morning and only an occasional very weak peep to indicate that hatching should start soon. June has not left the nest to permit a look, but the weakness of the sound suggests that the owlet has not yet penetrated the shell. (3:30pm)