Saturday, 7 February 2015

What a gift: a Northern Saw-Whet Owl!

These are nocturnal birds, and it was sleeping on the front porch when I startled it.
Things is, I'd already shoveled the snow on the steps and came out to do it after the winds dumped more snow. It ignored me until I cam out the front door.
It was perched on the mailbox, where our tree frog usually perches in summer. I saw the motion out of the corner of my eye, and it flew off into the tree.
I went out to check the next morning and it was gone in the night.

UPDATE 1.0: I didn't see if for a couple of days. Saturday morning we let Daisy outside and she spotted it, scaring it up onto the wreath in the video. It flew away, and sat on the veggie garden post. This isn't a good place.

UPDATE 1.1: Red is right. The first thing I did was go to All About Birds.org to listen to the Northern Saw-whet Owl's songs. I think, what with these terribly cold days and nights, that it has figured out where the Deer mouse are plentiful: under the birds feeder.
"A tiny owl with a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is practically bursting with attitude. Where mice and other small mammals are concerned this fierce, silent owl is anything but cute. "

Nesting boxes are supposed to be 14" high, 10 x 11 3/4" and should be put on a live tree between 12 and 15' high. The hole is 3".  They can nest between March and July, although most between April and June.

I shall have to figure out a good place for it. It seems as if it fell asleep on the mailbox, and sits there in the daytime. I'm going to have to figure out how to protect it form the cats. There is much more food available in summer, and their territory and food hunt, will be easier.



More Meme critters #60

20 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Oh wow, how cool is that.. It is a very cute owl, I have never seen one. So I am a little envious here, LOL. Awesome photos. Thank you so much for joining in with my critter party. Have a happy weekend!

EG CameraGirl said...

WOW! Lucky you!!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Aren't they cute little owls! Looks rather cold in the tree, glad you were able to capture a few shots to share before it flew away.

TexWisGirl said...

oh, that's just adorable!!! love your visitor!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

What a sweet little Owl and I loved the video. Have a lovely weekend.

Hilary said...

Jennifer, what a treat, indeed. Nature sure does gift you with many beautiful encounters. It's such a cute owl!

William Kendall said...

One wonders what the owl thought of that wreath!

I'm amazed by how far they can turn their heads.

Out To Pasture said...

That little Saw-whet owl was indeed a wonderful treat for you and a treat for us when you passed on your pics and video. Couldn't possibly be a better wreath decoration! It seemed pretty convinced there was a mouse or two on offer. Excellent capture and thankyou so much for sharing.
Florence

Kay L. Davies said...

Wonderful, Jenn. While the owl was on the wreath, I could see a chickadee in the tree behind it. You live in a nature paradise.
Luv, K

Red said...

Listen later on in the spring and if it's still in the area you should hear it. Now you have to go to an ornithology site to hear the sound.

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

That WAS a treat, lucky you! Cute little birds, thanks for sharing! Phyllis

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Very nice! I never get any owl shots.
~

Rose said...

Just so cute....

Unknown said...

Lovely photos of the adorable owl. Have a great day!

Cloudia said...

that is a treat!




ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
<3

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
.......oh my word...... &*<> YAM xx

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Amazing, I love your owls.

Lovable Derek said...

What a delightful post. The owl is cool too.

Have a great week.

Louisette said...

Gorgeous serie shots,have a nice week.
http://louisette.eklablog.com/grebe-huppe-podiceps-cristatus-a114631484

Ela said...

Oh my god, what a beautiful creature in the tree !
Gorgeous shots !