Great Horned Owl, female on nest!!

February 19, 2014 in Great Horned Owl

One of the many exciting signs of spring is finding a Great Horned Owl on nest.  These Owls are among the earliest nesting birds in our area.  They usually lay eggs somewhere around Feb. 14 and the normal incubation period is approximately 28-30 days.  The female  performs the incubation duties in all kinds of crazy weather!  She may even be found covered with snow as she is most determined to protect her eggs!  Stay tuned as we monitor this nest in the Great Blue Heron rookery near the Methuen Rail Trail in Methuen over the next many weeks!!

Peregrines close to hatch date!

April 21, 2012 in Near the Clock Tower

The male and female continue to take turns incubating the eggs.  Had another opportunity to observe the nest on Thursday p.m. while showing Jim McCoy from the Essex County Ornithological Club  some of the local birding hot spots in the Lawrence area.  The female was perched on a rooftop area on the west wing of the New Balance building.  She ruffled her feathers moments before taking flight in a westerly direction.  The photos showed her black over green “V5” leg bands.

While watching the New Balance webcam this morning around 8:30 am, my wife and I had a chance to observe the 4 eggs all in good shape in the nest while the peregrine on duty was stretching inside the nest box.  Accoridng to Tom French at Mass Wildlife, we should see the eggs hatch any day now!  Keep an eye on the cam and make a post when you see hatching activity!

Handful of additional photos posted online: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/142814464   Click “next in upper right corner to advance frames!