Curious little Barred Owl, Late October, 2014
I first came across this young Barred Owl at the end of October deep in the woods at Presqu’ile Park.
Young Barred Owl on its own, November 2014
Even after young Barred Owls leave their nest, their parents continue to feed them for many weeks. The challenge comes late in the fall, when the young owls are left on their own to hunt, and to find a new territory for themselves.
Over the last few months I have seen the little owl a couple of times sitting on its own in a tree at the edge of the forest. Though I often came across the adult owls in the park, I rarely saw the little one, so I always wondered how it was doing.
Today. Hunting. Look at that concentration!
Well, today I found out the young owl is doing just fine surviving its first winter. I spotted it hunting in a field full of small trees and wet swampy ground, perfect for finding voles, its main prey.
Gotcha! Caught a vole for breakfast.
The young owl’s hunting skills are incredible. It focussed intently on a spot in front of it on the ground, then silently flew down and grabbed a vole through the snow with its talons. Sticks and weeds precluded photos, but I got to watch it! I was down and sitting on the ground to take these photos. I guess it doesn’t matter that I went to my doctor’s appointment with wet jeans.
Taking off to another perch
After fiddling a bit with the vole, the owl flew to another perch, the vole hanging out of its mouth.
Down the hatch!
It then proceeded to swallow it whole. That’s how owls eat their prey- whole. My friend has seen them eat snakes whole. That would be quite the sight!
Well fed indeed.
There is no doubt that my little friend is doing very well its first winter on its own. What a great day it was today!
Looks healthy as can be, what a treat for you to watch this amazing sight!
You bet! I think voles are plentiful this year.
So very vicious and so very adorable!! I am so happy to hear the baby is doing well so far this winter. You’ll have to keep us updated on its adventures 🙂
You bet.
I love this! To get to be able to watch the hunt and then eat is wonderful.
They are so silent when they fly! That’s what gets me. The voles do not stand a chance.
Those who look – will see. Particular when it comes to owls who normally are out of sight, even if they happen to be nearby in the evening.
I remember sometimes when sleeping over at my grandmother’s this one owl outside her window hooting.
She also once had an owl accidentally flying through her open window and crash into her living room in the middle of the night 😛 Haha.
This baby barred owl is so cute! With it’s fluffy feathers ^ ^
Jules, I cannot imagine having an owl fly through the window! Wow I would be in heaven! I do agree that those who look will find. A couple of days ago my friend and her husband decided to go down to the park where I always see the Barred Owls and they saw a beautiful owl that afternoon, just because they were looking. They were thrilled.