Monday, October 10, 2011

Day 7 - PM 09 October

PM Central African Time:
What never ceases to amaze me is how much more there is to learn about 'our' owls, even when you believe you've seen it all. The minute you think you have it all figured out, something will happen to throw your pre-conceived ideas out the window.

I've been watching PPO and her family closely for a few years now - this being the fourth year that PPO has chosen to nest in our pot plant. There are some things that I take for granted about the family / family behaviour.

What I have learnt in the last 48 hours:

1. Even Pot Plant Owl can produce an egg that doesn't hatch, for various reasons. Just because we've witnessed all eggs hatch in the past years, doesn't necesarily mean that this will happen every year.
2. In past years when the chicks are very small, we've witnessed PPO only leave the nest one, maybe twice, in one evening, and only for a short time. Tonight, we've seen Pot Plant Owl leave the nest at least 5 times in a short space of time - leading me to believe she has ants in her pants. It's unusual for her to hop on and off the nest when the chicks are so small, but I'm sure she knows what she is doing.

I love it - the 'spanner in the works' that makes for interesting viewing and a greater understanding of the complexities of these beautiful owls.

I wonder what the rest of the season will bring.

5 comments:

  1. Hi! It has been interesting so far! This is the first time I have watched from the start. I think that PPO is taking off to see Pappa! That is why she is leaving more often this time! ;)
    Love the new camera, and the playground you have set up for them.
    Thank you so much for your blog posts, pictures, and keeping us up to date on what is going on from 'the inside'!
    purdyfarmsBecky

    ReplyDelete
  2. Indeed she surprised me too by staying away longer than usual - I noted breaks of 19, 22, 10 and 4 minutes Saturday evening between 18h and 23h.
    How the little wings grow! Right now, the biggest even tries to preen himself! (PPO was just off for 9 min. back w/o prey).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for clearing it up, there are 2. I wonder if she's feeling OK b/c it is out of character. I did see one of the chicks wolfing something down, or trying to, she was right there to make sure he was OK with it. Does she hunt, is Papa bringing enough? Just curious. Love watching 24/7. Thank you. Blessings, Janet

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Gosh, I know what the issue is. I saw it with Barn Owls too. She's sad about the unborn chick. . . she must think she's a failure. I know I know, but I saw all that with the barn owl. Poor baby girl, I feel for her. Blessings, Janet

    ReplyDelete
  5. my first year watching your potted plant family and am absolutely enthralled. thanks from montana, USA!!!

    ReplyDelete