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Subject:

Solstice Treat DC Fledgling Barred Owl

From:

Denise Ryan

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Sun, 20 Jun 2004 22:55:53 -0400

It never fails - I Atlas to confirm one species and get another.  Complain - never.  It is just kind of strange.  
While looking and listening for Nighthawks I heard the classic Barred Owl call in my DC quarter block.  I quietly walked in toward the sound and waited.  It wasn't much longer until I heard the begging calls of young in the thick canopy of leaves around 9 p.m.
 
Hoping for a fly-in from a parent owl, I found a rock and sat down.  It wasn't three or four minutes later an adult owl flew in and revealed the location of the owlet -- a first for me.  The adult fed the owlet and took off.  Oh joy!  Confirmation!  After repeated visits and a dozen owling trips the ultimate jackpot.  Oh joy!  
 
Most of the owlet downy fluff is gone and the adult plumage is growing in.  Most noticeably, the streaking on the breast is looking like an adult, but the barring on the primaries and the back isn't quite right yet. The owlet size is 20% smaller than the adult. The feathers have a pointy look to them -- at least that is what I could discern as the daylight grew dim.  I got a look and the owlet, and the owlet got a look at me.  Then he moved into deeper cover. -- Darn!  It is exciting to have that moment of mutual visual contact with an owl.  At least they are learning to fear humans.
 
 The owlet was fidgety and moved about in the high and low branches like a slow-motion warbler with two left wings.  That was a blessing - I was able to follow its movements through the canopy.
 
 There was a variety of different sounds made by the owls including an incessant chirping, wheezy hissy begging calls, and wheezy hissing replies from an adult.  Near dark, I'm certain there were at least three and possibly four owls in the area based on their calls.  
 
Happy Summer and good birding!  
 
Denise Ryan
Washington, DC