Tryon Creek Naturalist Notes

We’ve got owls to report!  I had the pleasure of seeing my first Northern Pygmy Owl over the past week.  I heard the little guy all over the upper ridge loop and chased him for nearly 2 hours with no luck.  The next day, I heard him again and emailed my collegue and “go-to bird guy” to let him know of the pygmy’s presence.  Rhett and I happened to bump into eachother that evening on Old Main trail and this is what we saw. 

Northern Pygmy Owl in a typical roost at the very top of a conifer

He seemed to be miles away, clear at the tip top of a Douglas fir.  We’ve got our fingers crossed that a second pygmy turns up so that the two can breed.  For those of you who want a close up of this species, check out this photo that was taken at Silver Falls State Park this spring!

Northern Pygmy Owl taken at South Falls Day Use Area by visitor Juliane Fiala

Now for your update on the Great Horned Owls at Tryon Creek… I have been waiting to post an update on these birds because we haven’t seen regular activity from them this month.  My deductive reasoning tells me that these owls must have laid a second clutch of eggs since the female was seen on the nest during the first weeks of March and they normally incubate for about a month.  Since she was seen on the nest over the last two weekends and then again this morning, I’d say she has good reason to be there.

Great Horned Owl - female on nest

Now, for the most exciting news yet ~ BABIES!  I was mid sentence when I got a call that at least one baby poked its head out of the nest. 

Fluffy owlet with mom

Thanks to Rhett Wilkins for these wonderful photos and also for keeping a close watch on our resident owls.  By the way, Rhett will be leading an Adult Birding Workshop here at Tryon Creek on Thursday 4/28 and Sunday 5/1.  Registration is online at www.tryonfriends.org.