SW Fla. EAgle cam.

[nuthatch]

Thanks for the update on the nest activities. I have never looked at the Dotty & Dash nest. Sounds like it's just as well . . . siblingicide . . . infanticide . . . cannibalism . . . oh my! Barn owl chicks aren't very attractive . . . a face only a mother could love . . . their mother! Will look better once they get face feathers.

[nuthatch]

Tip from the screech owls - don't leave food lying around or you'll get ants!!! LOL!

[SuzE-Q]

Tip from the screech owls - don't leave food lying around or you'll get ants!!! LOL!

The tinier barn owls were cute as a button though.

I saw all those insects too, but you'll notice that, occasionally, mama will just reach over and pop one of those ants or insects into her mouth as a snack.

[nuthatch]

I have an aversion to ants these days. We built this house a year ago and have had bug invasions of every kind since. Creatures I've never even seen before!
The worst was an invasion of fire ants! Those monsters bite repeatedly and it hurts! They weren't here for food, but looking for new nesting sites. They apparently do that in the spring. The winged queens look similar to termites, but smaller and a little different. They don't behave like regular old black ants either. They don't form a nice little trail that you can follow to see where they're coming in. They scatter and bite, bite, bite!!!

We don't use insecticides or poisons, but after repeated invasions in almost every room of the house, the can of Raid finally came out!
I was afraid I'd get fire ants in bed with me, so when I see those ants crawling all over the walls of the nest box and even some in there with the chicks . . . it makes me crazy!!!

[nuthatch]

Those barn owls sure learn the hard way!! Just watched the video of mom cleaning the nest. Tip - stay out of the way when mom cleans! One chick got schmuck kicked all over him! Not so pretty white now . . . thanks, mom!

[SalpalSally]

Yeaaaaaaa for our little Pittsburg babies!

And North Dacorrah babies!

[stillstANNding]

There's an "h" at the end if Pittsburgh, Sal. It stands for "home." As in home is where Mom is. :-)

ANN

[SalpalSally]

There's an "h" at the end if Pittsburgh, Sal. It stands for "home." As in home is where Mom is. :-)

ANN

Name dropper!!!

[SuzE-Q]

There's an "h" at the end if Pittsburgh, Sal. It stands for "home." As in home is where Mom is. :-)

ANN

Scripps spelling contestant wannabe.

[SuzE-Q]

Thanks for the update on the nest activities.

Sadly, with inclement weather in the area, Dottie and Dash have been unable to provide enough nourishment for the owlets, and they are at risk of perishing. I wonder if the nest "cleaning" was a last ditch effort to search for any remaining food morsels or insects?

It appears today that one of the remaining 4 may have succumbed to starvation.

Dottie seems listless and distant from her brood, she's not eating either, and Dash has not been around for some time, he may have met with tragedy himself or also be feeling the impact of starvation, or could not return for some other reason. Dottie remains with her chicks.

The weather is hoping to improve this weekend. Keeping our fingers crossed for this owl family.

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Screenshot_2016-05-27-17-53-19-1.jpg

[SuzE-Q]

It appears that the Dutch barn owls are devoting time to the incubation of their 8 eggs. Both mom and dad appear attentive and stay close by.

Food may not be an issue there, but stats show that it's likely all 8 won't hatch or if they do, will all survive to fledge. Sadly, only 3 of the Texas owlets have survived and, although Dash appeared last night with a rodent which was quickly gobbled up, the weather may not make it possible to sustain the remaining babes. Dottie has been gone all night, yet hasn't found anything to bring back to eat. She hasn't returned yet.

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Let's hope the Dutch 8 will have more successful futures. It's wonderful to see the devotion of the barn owl parents, they clearly have strong instincts to take care of their family and form strong family units.

A peek at the Dutch barn owl 8 as mom stretches:


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Screenshot_2016-05-28-05-17-27.jpg

Life of a new barn owl is not easy, it appears.

[SuzE-Q]

Screech owl 3 are still doing well, with tons of food ready for them, mom staying nearby and dad loading up food supplies. Here they are huddling together:

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Screenshot_2016-05-28-05-42-49.jpg

Apparently humans went in to remove the nonviable egg to understand its lack of development and to weigh the owlets. By the amusing commentary, all is well.

[SalpalSally]

It's so Sad, I can't watch the owls any more!

[SuzE-Q]

I know, Sal. It's very sad.

[SuzE-Q]

Interesting article about when we're viewing nature in the raw:

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