Thursday, January 17, 2008

My Yearly Winter Visitor and the "Spread the Love" Award

My little visitor first showed up just before Christmas in 2001. I heard his sweet song and finally spotted the little owl sitting on the hydro wire. After doing some research we finally realized that he was an Eastern Screech Owl. My husband found directions for a nesting box on the web and built one a few days after Christmas. No sooner had he put it up in the tree and the owl moved in. He stayed for almost three weeks and then went on his way. Awhile later and couple of squirrels moved in and we figured that was the end of it.

Now, surprisingly, every year since, an owl has showed up just before or right after Christmas and stays two to three weeks. I would like to think it's the same one, but I'm not sure. This year he showed up a week before Christmas and left last week. And, of course, now a pair of squirrels have taken over the box.

These are some of the pictures we took that first year.
Screech Owl 03
This one shows how tiny he is
Screech Owl 04
They like to soak up the sun in the late afternoon
Screech Owl 01
A close up
Screech Owl 02
If you would like to hear their sweet call you can follow the link below
Eastern Screech Owl - Megascops asio - Information, Pictures, Sounds

Rachael over at The Rose Room has kindly passed the "Spread the Love" award on to me. Thank you so much Rachael, it is very appreciated.

16 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

What a wonderful visitor.
Alison

Maija said...

That is so cool, Karen!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Such a well deserved award. Anyone who could appreciate the return of an owl, year after year, and consider it a highlight, clearly has a loving heart. This was a wonderful post. Susan

Fete et Fleur said...

Oh how wonderful! I would love to have an owl in my yard!! I've thought about building an owl box but I'm afraid bats might try to roost there. Maybe I'll try it this year.

Thanks so much for your kind comments on the shoes.

Have a Beautiful Day! Nancy

Amy said...

How sweet! I love creatures like that - truly magnificent :-)

Amy M. said...

I love owls! That is just wonderful!!!

-Amy

Beth Leintz said...

OH my gosh- I don't think I've ever seen an owl in the wild! That is so cool!

roseroomnz.com said...

How incredible:) He must feel very safe with you:) Rachael

Betty said...

Karen,that is so cool! How sweet of your hubby to make him an owl box. My hubby would be so excited if an owl moved in here!

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, how amazing! They must migrate but it seems there is no place like home, thanks to your handy hubby! Jenn and Jacqui

Felicia said...

Aw, what a sweet little owl :)

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

What a wonderful visitor you have! I love owls... they are so fun to watch. When we take the kids to the aviary that is my first stop! Wonderful photos.. congrats on your award. xo Heather

Sandra Evertson said...

Oh, you are so lucky! He is Beautiful!
Sandra Evertson

vintage girl at heart said...

Congrats on your Love award and thank you so much for sharing your owl story and photos. It is remarkable that your husband built the box for him and he returns every year. I would love to know that I was helping to preserve a natual habitat like you are!!!

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I agree with Nancy, I would love to have an owl. He's so very cute.

Thanks so much for visiting me and entering my blog GIVE AWAY!

xo Lidy

Nora Lee said...

Oh how I love your owl! Also congrats on your award, it is beautiful. Please stop by and visit me sometime; my post today is about the red birds at my feeder. I'm glad I came across your site!

Sandra