February 27, 2015 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl has returned to nest again in the Great Blue heron Rookery located just to the west of the Methuen Rail Trail along the Spicket River. This area is part of the Nevins Bird Sanctuary. It is a busy and growing Great Blue Heron Rookery and the herons will be arriving shortly!
February 27, 2015 in Great Horned Owl
The nesting Great Horned owl has returned again to the Carter Field Reservation in West Boxford. The Owl is found in the middle of a Great Blue Heron Rookery located in a dead tree swamp. The number of nesting Herons in the rookery has been reduced considerably in the last few years due to winter storms and other factors. The bast vantage point may be from the trail off of Bradford Street.
April 25, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owlet continues to grow in size and darken slightly in plumage. Best guess is that the owlet is about 6 weeks old. It is likely days away from breaking out of the nest and starting the process of climbing around on nearby branches prior to fledging, or making its first flight! Stay tuned!!
April 22, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owlet in Methuen continues to grow in size and change in plumage with darker colors. Nice observation time this morning while owlet in nest with adult no where to be seen. At first, owlet low in nest and then it just seemed to straighten right up providing much better looks. Estimated age is around 5-6 weeks old and ready to start “branching” very soon!
For those with interest, 7 photos posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/155336225
Click “next” in upper right corner to advance frames!
April 3, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl pair in Methuen appear to have mated in early to middle of February. The female laid her egg in the middle of February, incubated it 30-35 days, keeping the incubation temperature constant, even during the all snowstorms. The owlet was born in the middle of March and will likely fledge in early June, at about 10 weeks. Owlets open their eyes at one week, and will start to leave the nest at four to five weeks of age. Owlets will then “branch” and then hang around on that branch for another 9 to 12 weeks when they become proficient at flying. The young stay near the parents until the fall, when they are forced to leave their parents territory.
Photos posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/155079818
Enjoy!
April 1, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The winds was blowing at 15 MPH this morning out of the north. The female protected the chick under her wings while her ear tufts were being blown around quite a bit. A single chick is in the nest, at times with eyes wide open!
March 29, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl on nest in the Carter Fields Conservation Area in West Boxford appears to be sitting a bit higher. This suggests that she may have hatched her egg or eggs and we need to await the appearance of the first owlet in the days ahead! Great Blue Herons have returned to this rookery, but in much smaller numbers than any in any recent years. Looks like many of the nests were blown down over the winter. Stay tuned!
March 29, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl and little one continue at the Methuen Heron Rookery. So far, no indications of another owlet, but we will keep a sharp eye open for other one! No sign of Papa Bear. The rookery is now filling up with Great Blue Herons returning to the rookery and chasing each other in normal courtship behavior. Stay tuned!
March 26, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl on nest in Methuen has at least one owlet in the nest. The nest is located at the Great Blue Heron Rookery adjacent to Nevins Farm MSPCA and the Methuen Rail Trail in Methuen. The first sighting of the mom on nest was Feb. 12. It looks like the owlet may be close to 2 weeks old. When Great Horned Owl eggs hatch, the downy owlets are the size of newborn chickens. Their mother broods them day and night. A few weeks later, the owlets can be left alone while both adults resume hunting at twilight. Great Horned Owl young remain in the nest for about six weeks, then climb out onto nearby branches. They begin taking short flights at seven weeks, and can fly well at 9-10 weeks.
March 11, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl continues on nest in the Great Blue Heron Rookery. No Herons have arrived yet an the number of Heron nests in place from last year has been reduced dramatically. Many of the trees have been blown or have fallen over as well. It will be interesting to see what happens when the herons return this year!
