SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Adventures with Mel and Syd

Mel silently landed on the perch 5:47pm, entered & napped. He moved to the door 7:14 looking for Sydney, stepped out 7:30, looked around then departed 7:32pm.

Owl landed on roof at 1:40am and while a few of us still viewing were speculating just who was this owl, by movements we didn't think this was Mel , then the owl jumped down and entered the Kastle at 2:15am.

The great owl debate - should I go in or stay out

Why ladies & gents, it’s the beautiful and  gorgeous Sydney!
No viewing of her leg but it appears that she has healed and remains strong.
She looked around, inspected & once she gave her approval she exited to the porch 2:17.
She was outside for 38 minutes enjoying the soft rain before leaving with a screech 2:55.

Mel or Syd did a touch & go landing on the porch 5:26a.
A close loud screech heard 5:55am followed by distant then incoming deets 5:58.

 Mel entered deeting & began dancing. He’s so good with his fancy foot work he puts Fred Astaire to shame (^_~)

When Syd landed on roof 5:59, Mel started to beak snap 6:00am & moved closer to the door. He stepped out cautiously 6:04 spotting Syd on the camera housing. He jumped to the roof then both flew off with a departing screeeech.

Wondering why Mel would beak snap at an owl or even toe dust (Syd) that he already knows and is familiar with? 
Good question!
What we do know is that although we all have been told and learned that this is a defensive behavior with owls such as a warning or guarding their territory to warn off other owls, we believe that this is also a form of communication with owl pairs. With seventeen different language sounds barn owls make, we couldn't possibly know what they are saying and are now finding out that this behavior is common place, even amongst mated pairs.




We are thankful to the mods who are dedicated with getting the pictures and videos that we use on this blog everyday and their reports of what goes on at the Kastle while we sleep. 
Thanks to moobird, Dandi and Aj ‎♥