Relocated Site 1 about 2 years ago, Recently was looking to upgrade the box here as well, but before I swapped it out for a new version of squirrel resistant box, I did a quick check of the the older box so I would not be surprised on a ladder, good thing too as a den of 3 flying squirrels had moved in. I have seen flying squirrels on cam at night in boxes, but I have never had them set up shop in a box. So this was a first. I felt bad I had to dislodge them but they quickly scurried and found natural hollows to shelter in, one did pause long enough on a tree trunk to get a good pic as well. This also means no screech owls around or using the box, as flying squirrels are small enough for a Screech to prey upon flying squirrels.
Site 9, first egg was March 26th, and currently there are 4 eggs that should be hatching in about a week.
Site 4, first egg was March 22nd and currently there are 5 eggs that should be hatching any day now, also a nice night video of a raccoon investigating the nest, hopefully the squirrel resistance will be enough to thwart the other predators as well. Pay attention to the top right, see the owl fly to attack the raccoon, and turn volume up and listen to the defensive bill clacking.
Site 3, presumed nest, if so this is the male that spends most if not all day in entrance as not to crowd the female on eggs.
Seemed a average year for screech owls nesting. 3 sites with screech owl nesting, with 4 owlets each, 1 owlet predated soon after fledging by a presumed opossum.
Total: Owlets 12 (one predated soon after fledging)
Total Owlets Since 2010: 134+
Barred Owls:
Total 2 Owlets, first ever!
Site 1 Massachusetts No Nesting this year, Need to find new Site 1.
Site 2 Massachusetts No screech owls…but local barred owls are heard regularly.
Site 3 Massachusetts Screech Owls: M,F both red phased, successful nesting in nest box 700 feet from original site
Total: 4 owlets fledged around 5/25/2021 (look closely 2 red phased owlets on bottom right and upper left(slightly warmer color beneath the gray downy feathers in appearance) owlets and 2 gray phased upper right and lower left (can only see the tails of the 2 owlets on the left)
Screech owls: Successful Nesting Female Gray, Male Gray
Total: 4 owlets fledged
Site 6 Massachusetts Screech Owls: Female Red, male Gray Did not nest in box this year, box used in fall and winter
Total: 0
Site 7 Massachusetts :Relocated for 2017 season 2022: Screech owls active in winter, seemed to nest elsewhere, activity stopped early march, no nesting this year.
Total: 4 owlets (2 fledged 5/20/2022, one was predated by morning, 2 fledged 5/24/2022) presumed opossum attack, tried to get into box, but failed but most likely able to get to the owlet after fledging, evidence found near box on ground)
Owl Oasis Trail 