That is so cool! I have barred owls in my woods, but have never found their nesting site - it is probably across the river and not on my property. Can you post photos of the nest? I would love to see it!

How exciting! Be sure to post pictures. I've got Eastern Screech owls nesting in my nestbox for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing the owlets in March or April.

I took a picture of the nest and you can see Mama Owl sitting in there! Here she is....

2010 Barred Owl Mama at Nest
{{!gwi}}

Awesome!! Thanks!

That's very cool. I love the way her eyes are peering out. Thanks for posting!

Cool! What type of tree is it that she's in?

It is an old Beech tree. Part of the tree is dying off and I worry about the nest site in upcoming years. You can see the last of the dead limb that sheltered the nest somewhat in previous years. I've thought that possibly I should make some sort of structure to have built onto the tree and would canopy the nest somewhat. I would also have a camera installed in it as well. A skilled tree person would have to do it due to the height of the tree. Any suggestions?

Since barred owls use nest boxes, I imagine one could be put up on your tree with proper reinforcement to keep it in place, after nesting season. I know the boxes are larger than the E. Screech Owl box we put up in our tree and I agree if that nest is up high it's best to use a skilled tree person. Not far from me, there was a barred owl nesting in a snag and weather deteriorated it to the point the owls found another tree nearby. The original nest was along a walkway in a park. I haven't found the new nest, but I have seen the owls at dusk and hear them.

It just occurred to me that I have posted this thread to the wrong forum. I don't know how to actually move a thread so I will start a new one on the Raptors forum and post any updates there.

Judy

Judy - A lot of people do post raptor sightings on this forum. The raptor forum moves really slowly so I don't kow why there's a seperate forum for raptors. There doesn't seem to be a need for it.

I agree about the Raptors forum. I may just keep any updates on this thread/forum afterall.

I know that several of us here (myself for sure!) would love to hear updates and I never look at the raptors forum (in fact, I didn't know there is one). So please post here!

Wow. That is sooooo cool! I think that I have seen one owl in the wild in my lifetime. Is that hole as large as it looks in the picture, or is it shadowing I am seeing? I sure wish I had a nesting owl. Lucky you!!! Please do keep us posted.

bandjzmom - I saw your post on the Raptor Forum so I was glad to see you found this one as well. I've answered the hole question over there but have now closed that thread because this forum seems to be the better traveled/viewed. Sorry to confuse. :)

Thanks Judy. I did figure it out finally! I am new here, and I'm still trying to figure things out. I haven't even figured out how to add a pic inside a post yet. I'm still learning.

It appears there is only one baby owl this year and here he/she is! I'm expecting this one to leave the nest site within the next week, two at the most.

Awww-that's a good size baby!