I had commented in post three weeks ago that in late May my birding experience has taught me that Poppa Great Gray Owls often will hunt near the backroads well into the daylight hours. The owlets are demanding food (and also Mom)! (See my Return of the Great Gray Owls Blog Post). This increased hunting activity also begins my period of what heretofore have always been unsuccessful bushwhacking attempts into the boreal bog in a quest to find a Great Gray Owl nest. Normally all I find are mosquitoes.

This year I had six different locations scattered across northern Minnesota where I attempted to find an elusive nest. Paying particular attention to where Poppa Owls fly into the forest, I then try walking the bogs … not a fun or easy task, but “no pain, no gain”. This year I finally struck paydirt (paybog?!). Eventually I made two trips into the Boreal Bog to visit the nest before the owlets fledged. This post documents visit #1. Expect a second post.

Please understand I am ONLY posting now because the owlets have fledged and are able to fly. Thus the Great Gray Owl nest is empty, and the birds are safe.

Great Gray Owlet A (still in the nest … awake and sleeping)

Great Gray Owlet B (branching)

Momma Great Gray Owl (hunting and keeping watch)

Please note that Poppa Owl is the main hunter for the entire family during these early days, which is why one has an increased probability that one may find him hunting the roadside long after sunrise. Poppa Owl has four hungry birds to feed … himself, Mom and the two owlets.

Finally here is a video of Momma Owl. If you listen closely you will be able to hear her “talking” with her nearby owlets. It was actually because of her soft sounds that I actually found the nest. I was about 70 yards away in the forest when I heard the owls. Without their sounds I doubt I would have even found the nest. (video link for email subscribers)

Today was an unexpected but special day. Molly knows I have been experiencing M.O.S. (missing owlet syndrome). After six years of watching Les and Amy raise Great Horned Owlets near my home, I was looking forward to a seventh year. Although I found this season’s nest, four weeks ago for unknown reasons the nest failed (night time raccoon attack??).

Anyhow this morning I had some intelligence on a family of Great Horned Owlets within driving distance of my northern Minnesota home. Leaving shortly before 6:30 am I went to visit the owl location. After walking around for ten minutes, I heard an “owl squawk” which I recognized as a female Great Horned Owl. I knew wherever Mom was, the owlets had to be near by … I just did not realize how near the owlets were to me. I had been scanning high up in the white pines, but briefly I looked down and discovered two owlets were on the ground within 10 yards of my location.

I backed off immediately, as I was obviously too close. Unfortunately the owlets were on the ground within a fenced dog park. My inspection of the owlets told me their flight feathers were not fully developed, and that both birds had likely experienced a “controlled crash” from the trees the prior night. I realized this was NOT a good situation for either owls or dogs. They could not escape any dogs that found them within the dog park.

Thankfully for most of the time I was the only person present (no dogs). I contacted both the local police and DNR. Between the three of us, we briefly captured the owls and released them moments later outside the fenced in dog park area. Momma Owl was watching us the entire time. Both owlets are now still on the ground (not unusual), but in safer protected thickets where I assume they will use downed tree boughs to climb back up into some white pines. My thanks to the Minnesota DNR and the local police department (not named to protect the owl’s location). Both organizations responded to my help requests and were instrumental in saving the owlets. Normally one should leave owlets found on the ground alone, but not when the owlets could not fly and were within a fenced dog park.

Today was also my half way point for cancer radiation treatment (20 out of 40 treatments). God provided me a real gift.

Enjoy!!!

My view when I finally looked down, and not up into the trees!

Owlet A (trying to scare a dog which appeared at one point)

Owlet B (trying to scare me when I got too close)

Momma Great Horned Owl

The Rescue Video! (video link for email subscribers)

Owlet B in its new home outside the dog park