On Friday, November 26th a pair of Great Horned Owls  were spotted roosting very close to
each other in the Loch Raven Reservoir vicinity. They were in separate trees about 15 yards
apart. GH Owls are believed to keep distinct roosting territories apart from each other during
the non-breeding season. As the breeding season approaches a pair will form (or reform )
thier bond by roosting closer to each other. In years past we've seen them sitting side by side.
This is a good indication that the breeding season is just around the corner!
     Speaking of Great Horned Owls, this is the time of year to look for old stick nests from the
past season that GH Owls might use this season. GH Owls don't build thier own nests, they
use old hawk or crow nests. Now that all the leaves are off the trees, old nests are easier to
spot, so I try to make a note of each suitable nest site we find in order to check them when
the GH Owls start nesting. Sometimes this is as early as late December here in Maryland!!
Good birding to all
Jim Meyers   Parkville, MD