Rehabilitation Center
Lake Charles, LA
Website: http://www.snowhawk.com/heckhaven
Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center's sole purpose is to release back into the wild, their natural environment, any and all wild born creatures which find themselves in the hands of man.
Our Moderator Yvonne talked to Suzy at the Wildlife Center about the GHO vs. Mel and Sydney. She told her how concerned we were and she said no worries right now. GHO is looking for food right now just like Mel and Sydney is doing. She said the reason for the GHO sitting up so high near the Boom Cam is probably of her wanting a higher view of what's on or near the ground. Yvonne told her about the calls going back and forth between the other GHO in the distance, and Suzy from the center said it's just like a phone call, they are letting one another know if the other has seen food in their area which does make a lot of sense especially if they are a couple and it did sound that way from the calls. She did confirm that YES, the Female does HOOT 4 consecutive times in a row, and the Male HOOTS 3 consecutive times, and that is what we did hear. “I did tell her that I did hear either Mel or Sydney in the area giving a few screeches in between their hoots and she said that it was their warning to the GHO letting them know that they were in Mel and Sydney's territory.
Now, about the possible threat. The only possible threat there could be is "IF" Mel and Sydney had an open Owlbox (as in a open sidewall or front, not a hole) or Nest and the Owlets were to be exposed to the GHO if and when they would come into the area while the Owlets were in the box. More than likely, Sydney and Mel WILL NOT let that happen as long as they can fight off the predator just as they did with "Darth Invader"(Errol). Sydney stood her ground and fought him off and she saved her eggs and her babies, and She and Mel would do the same with the GHO also, no matter how big the predator is, they will fight back and most likely win, but that rarely happens with the Owls she says.Right now everything is very dry and food supply is probably alittle low. She also told me that the Owls DO KNOW ahead of time what kind of winter they are going to have and what kind of summer they are going to have. "IF" it looks to be a very hot summer, they WILL NOT double clutch, and as we all saw they did not double clutch. If they see that there will be a very cold winter, they will start laying eggs late Summer for the Owlets to fledge before the hardest part of winter hits or they will wait for the worst part of Winter to be over and then lay eggs for Spring hatch as we saw last Spring. She said the Owls know way in advance on how the food supply will be, how many eggs to lay, and when to lay them. She said to be patient, we cannot tell you all when they are coming home, they will come when they are ready and that could be anytime now since the weather is changing. The Owls do not like the heat, that's why we have only been seeing them briefly at night. The Great Horned Owls are NOT here to harm Mel and Sydney and they are not going to take over their Owlbox. The GHO cannot fit into the hole of the Owlbox, they are extremely too big and they nest in trees, not in boxes. Kanga's house and Boom Cam pole and Owlbox is merely just a rest area and a high point for them to see out further and into a clearer area. As long as they can hear Mel and Sydney screeching in the area, they know this is their territory.
Now you all can REST EASY!!
Thanks Yvonne! ♥
The GHO "Hoot" linked below
http://wildlifeofct.com/websitesounds/great_horned_owl_call.mp3
