NOTE: This observation is a continuation of a previous post. The earlier article can be found here: Great Horned Owl – VCDB Nests Update 6
One day there will be good weather and sunshine when I visit the Great Horned Owl nests at the Village Creek Drying Beds. But, today was not the day.
Rains had passed through the day before and the overcast was still with us the next morning. Colder temperatures came with the rain as well, leaving the mercury hovering around 40F/4.5C or so.
It is often interesting to see how animal manage weather changes like this one. Although cold and wet, the conditions were not severe enough to threaten the lives of healthy adults and owlets, but you might expect that the birds would find the conditions unpleasant.
At the north nest, we found the two owlets looking healthy and strong. They were perched up on the rim of their nest in what appears to be their favorite spot. There was no sign of mom while we were on site, and the two young owls seemed unbothered by the chilly weather.
NOTE: This observation is continued here: Great Horned Owl – VCDB Nests Update 8
Things were a little different at the south nest. The whole family of owls—mom and two owlets—were packed into the nest together and hunkered down against the cold.
Observation Details
| County | – | Tarrant |
|
| City | – | Arlington | |
| Date | – | Mar 24, 2013 | |
| Time of Day | – | Morning | |
| Temperature | – | Cold (less than 50°F/10°C) | |
| Weather | – | Overcast | |
| Habitat | – | Water-Bog/Marsh/Swamp | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Care of Young | |
| Gender | – | Uncertain | |
| Maturity | – | Mixed | |
| Observer | – | Chris Jackson |
