With a new camera installed and functional, we’ve recently observed our Eastern Screech Owl nest box host a variety of critters, some that we didn’t want to see in the box.
Even with the cuteness of two little rats curled up together, the view of them snoozing away in the nest box did not thrill us. So, after they vacated, we closed the box for a few days.
After we reopened the nest box for business, other rats, or maybe the same ones–they all look alike to me–have come and gone over these past few weeks. Fortunately, none hung around for any length of time.
Then, it was the rat relatives who nosed in for some naps,
…and private time away from noisy neighborhood Blue Jays.
For the last week, in the wee early morning hours, just at sunrise, I’ve witnessed an Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio swoop to the box for inspection. She’d perch at the entrance hole, sit a bit, then climb in for a look-see. Usually, she flew back to a neighbor’s tree to spend her day. Today, she climbed in and stayed in the box for the day.
I’m not sure she’s thrilled with my oohing and aahing but she didn’t dart back into the box out of fear or annoyance, only lazily turned to look at me, squinting in the cheery afternoon sun. I’m glad she’s not threatened by my presence.
I’m pretty sure this is the same female that we’ve hosted in the box for the last few years. She loves to be outside, perched in trees, even after the sunrise. I call her Uptown Girl. Her mate is Shy Guy and so far, I haven’t seen him. These two have successfully brooded chicks for the past two to three years. Last year, shortly before the eggs were to hatch, the nest box was raided, probably by a fox. After they abandoned our box, I discovered that they’d settled in a neighbor’s tree. I watched for several weeks and was rewarded by watching two fledglings learn to fly successfully under the careful tutelage of their parents. I hope they survived summer and have found their own territory and mates, ready to raise families.
It’s never a sure thing that the owls will stick around, or be safe. A juvenile Great Horned Owl has been in our neighborhood this winter and raccoons and foxes are always a danger to eggs and nestlings. I wish this female and her mate good things in their future.
My Gardener Says... 
Lots of wildlife, even though you don’t want them. I once had a rat eating out of my bird seed feeder and later found it was in our garage attic. It refused rat poison. When do the owls lay eggs? Are you ready for the cold snap? Hopefully, the grid will hold, but with every weather report it gets colder.
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Those rats, they’re just too smart! As for the owl eggs, it really depends; last year, the first clutch was really early. Typically, it’s late February/March before the eggs come.
Ugh. I was so hoping for a milder winter. I’ll cover a few things, bring in a few pot, but most of my stuff is hardy. Sadly, the things blooming will be frozen. Boo. As for the grid, another ugh. Fingers crossed…
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Not a rat fan by any means, but that snuggling rodent pair was the cutest thing I’ve seen lately.
Amy Culbertson
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They were sooo cute!
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Oh, that’s so exciting! The owls, of course, but it’s also fun to observe all the other nifty little critters. Thanks for sharing!
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There’s been lots of activity, but of course, with a working camera, we can see just how popular a place it is!
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I do hope they nest there for you to observe. I recently read a book about an Eastern Screech Owl that was orphaned and raised on Long Island. https://www.harvard.com/book/alfie_and_me/
I liked the parts about the owl, but his philosophizing not so much, so I skipped ahead a lot!
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Oh, that’s interesting. I’ll take a look–thanks!
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I think you’d like the insights into their daily and nightly behaviors.
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Uptown Girl and Shy Guy: could someone be engaging in a bit of anthropomorphism?
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Yes, and given the precarious lives of wildlife, you’d think I’d know better. 🙂
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I love the photos of your critter camera. How exciting to know what’s going on while you are asleep. Or awake! The image of the owl looking out of the bird house is precious. Let’s hope she and her mate will be successful once again in raising a family.
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I was hoping your owls would take up residence in your box again this year. I’m surprised by the number of other critters who found it congenial. It makes sense, I suppose — and I have to confess I was tickled by the whole lot of them. Everyone needs shelter, and you’ve provided a good option.
I’ve been sitting here watching a pair of wrens at my feeders. In past years I’ve seen one, but two suggests three or more may be a possibility in the coming weeks. We’ve got some cold weather to get through, but at least they’ll have plenty of food and water — and they did clean out the dried mealworms that I offered this morning. It’s time for another handful.
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