This beautiful little creature had a close encounter with death this morning. Luckily, son-in-law heard him fall and went to investigate.
This is what he found. A Tawny Owlet! Tawny Owls have moved into the owl box again after all these years. Forget the fights between squirrels and Jackdaws, the Tawnies won!
We didn't have a clue, until we found this little fellow.
He was an awfully long way from the box, but we do know that Tawny Owlets often do leave the nest before they are ready and then spend their time clambering along branches and twigs.
Normally "the Owl People/Ringers" come along each year to check the boxes, weigh and measure any owlets, then ring them before they fly the nest. Covid-19 means that this cannot happen this year.
We had a long debate - keeping an eye on this adorable creature all the while - but as he showed no signs of recovery my husband picked him up and simply held him to his chest. Within a few minutes he began to perk up, opening his eyes and staring.
In an ideal world/woodland, without our marauding cats and boisterous dog, we would simply have popped him back in his tree. Unfortunately Sparky and Millie would have made short work of him, so we decided the best option was to replace him in the owl box and this way we could take a quick peek to see whether there were any others - we know that a small amount of handling is fine and will not make the parents reject the little bird.
Out came the long ladders and the hatch of the owl box was lifted...two inside, plus this little one - Triplets!
For now the little owl is back in the box, goodness knows for how long. We have set the wildlife camera up and hope to catch some images over the next day or two. Fingers crossed for those adorable little birds.
Owl Wood has owls again, I can't even begin to tell you how happy that makes me.
Have a wonderful weekend.
x
What a wonderful diversion - owls in your wood!
ReplyDeleteHello Mary, Most exciting!
Delete(Internet connection is still giving problems, so I am keeping all replies brief!!)
How brilliant. I hope they all survive and fledge and fly without anymore problems.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed, Sue.
DeleteGood news is that the Barn Swallows have started fledging, two so far...
What good Samaritans you are. Hope he stays in there.
ReplyDeleteSo many predators about, but we have our fingers crossed!
DeleteWhat a beautiful creature. So glad you were there in time before it became lunch/supper for something larger on 4 feet. What is their call like? Had you been hearing the parents at night? We used to hear owls when we lived in the woods. We even put up an owl box but it never was occupied that we could tell.
ReplyDeleteSo far, so good, Marcia.
DeleteHow wonderful. I hope they all make it to "adulthood".
ReplyDeleteAll three made it last time, I would love for similar success with this brood, Susan.
DeleteThat's what I was thinking all the way through: Owl Wood has owls! Hooray.
ReplyDeleteAren't they beautiful, Joanne! Worth the wait.
DeleteWhat an adorable little owl. I want to live where you live. It must be wonderful. "Owl Wood". I love it.
ReplyDeleteHello Henny Penny, Isn't he just the most adorable little creature?
DeleteThat is wonderful news. Hope all goes well with them.
ReplyDeleteI do hope so, they are lovely little things.
DeleteThat little owl is soooooo cute! I am glad you put him back with his siblings and hope he stays safe there. What a lovely good news story. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosie. We have to watch and wait now - all my fingers are crossed.
DeleteHow wonderful and how lucky the little owlett was to have you near by or who knows what would of happened. Look forward to hearing progress reports.
ReplyDeleteMx
Don't worry, I will update when i can.
DeleteA lovely story and in a way with a happy ending for all. Not obviously for the little adventurous one that fell out although fingers crossed all will be well. You all now know the owls are back in residence, the chance to get to see inside the box and to set up the camera. Also to get up close and personal with these beautiful birds, especially as cradling anyone in these strange times is definitely a no-no, the old man notwithstanding obv!
ReplyDeleteLX
He was lucky that SiL was there - we would have been oblivious to it all. All the hard work we put into maintaining the woodland is instantly rewarded when we get to see these little ones. It was quite odd doing the rescue while social distancing from daughter, SiL, and the grands - but we managed it!
DeleteOh my goodness, such a lovely post. Let's hope he survives okay. thankyou for posting.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Hello Briony, When they reach that stage, they almost look like fluffy, knitted owls. Fingers crossed for him.
DeleteDid he jump or was he pushed? I do hope he will be okay.
ReplyDeleteHa! He was probably the hungriest and decided to meet his parents at the entrance!
DeleteSo pleased you have Tawnys nesting with you. We have them in the paddock (they can be SO noisy!) but don't see them, only hear them. I hope your little chap will be OK.
ReplyDeleteMusic of the night, I love it!
DeleteCute, cute owlet. Thank you for a wonderful, uplifting post.
ReplyDeleteHello BethB, Welcome! I hope to have some good news soon.
DeleteAdorable! So glad that you were there to rescue him and replace him in the box.💖
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, I am grateful to all the knowledge which the 'Owl Men' have passed on to us, it helped!
DeleteThat is so awesome! I might get my husband to build an owl house as we have an owl in the area. I don’t know what kind. It swooped down one night at dusk, I think with the idea of grabbing up my yorkie but it didn’t realize that this yorkie is a bit of a chunky monkey and I don’t think it would have been able to pick her up. So, the owl landed in the tree and stayed awhile. It has been back because I have found an owl pellet in the yard so I am keeping my eye out. They are such awesome birds!
ReplyDeleteHello - and welcome. Sounds like an owl box would soon have residents - give it a go! Rats, mice and the like are favourite foods of the owls, so they are very useful creatures to have around.
DeleteWhat a beautiful little owlet! So glad you were able to get him/her back to where he/she belongs. We have Starlings living in the corner of our house and on Friday a fledgling followed me into the garage, then hid behind some boxes! I did manage to pick him up and I put him in the middle of my neighbour’s front lawn (we only have a tiny front garden with lots of plants) where his parent could see him from our roof. Within a few minutes his parent came down and he was followed her to safety. I was just so very thankful our cat was snoozing indoors!
ReplyDeleteHello Ann, I love our cats, but they are real menaces when it comes to birds, though Sparky would rather eat a fresh baby rabbit - given the choice! I'm glad your little starling was found by his parents.
DeleteAnd so it should. How wonderful. And what a wonderful man to do all that he did for it's recovery. We had a family of foxes at Fox Grove this spring. Seemed appropriate. :-) I can't wait for more walks through Owl Wood. xo
ReplyDeleteHello Deb, Very appropriate and I bet you enjoyed watching those foxes! There are so many birds busy feeding their young around here at the moment, the latest ones to fledge are the Barn Swallows, they are swooping around like crazy!
DeleteKeeping my fingers firmly crossed for the poor little gorgeous owlet.
ReplyDeleteHow I'd love to live somewhere like where you live!! Hopefully not too long before it finally happens!
Hello Vesna, I hope you are able to do so soon!
DeleteWe find the gardens and the woodland become more difficult to manage the older we get, but the reward for all the effort is seeing so many beautiful little creatures.