The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group, a place where everyone is welcome to note the observations you have made of the natural world around you. Fledglings, insects, blossoms, fish, climate, reptiles and/or amphibians: all are worthy additions to the bucket. Ask questions if you have them and someone here may well have an answer. All we ask is that you let us know where you're located, as close as you're comfortable revealing.
Seattle. May 22, 2013. Late afternoon.
Mama Owl makes a food delivery to the fledged owlets at the middle nest. Two kids, from the sounds of their whines way up in the canopy. Mom hangs out west of them until the crows retreat, then makes her move. The crows follow, pinning her in the shelter of a Doug Fir. The Jays jump right into the fray, forgetting for the moment that crows like Jay babies, too.
The smaller birds follow suit, but from a distance. Robins circle 50 feet out from the center of the ruckus. Beyond them come the cries of Siskin and Chickadee. Of the little birds only Hummingbird comes close, buzzing the owl's face, again and again.
I work my way up towards them, binocs in hand, Bill-the-Dog patient with my backtracking. He has done this before. Half way up the slope two Pacific Wrens leap up from the underbrush and chitter at us with their big bird voices. They seem oblivious with everything that is going on in the canopy, concerned only that we are trespassing in their territory, way too close to a nest we cannot see. We acknowledge them and move on.
More crows fly in. I watch where they go. The canopy has closed since we first found the nest. It's just green up there now, almost too dense to see any detail. Mama Owl whines and her kids return her call. I find myself in exactly the right place, look up to find one owlet, looking around at it all.
May 22, 2013. At least one fledged Barred Owlet is present near the middle nest.
Update:
Text. M to B. May 22, 2013 8:17pm: 3 babies at the middle nest!!
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Chime in please. What's going on in your natural neighborhood? I'll be here this morning, then off to play music for much of the rest of the day and a good part of the weekend.