The female Great Horned Owl was first observed on her nest on January 6^th. Some workers at the courthouse report that the owls had two offspring this year. Whether the second owlet was a victim of starvation, poor health, a predator, or fratricide, it was never seen by ground-based observers.

This year's lone owlet surveying his admirers from a perch above the nest. Photo courtesy Linda McConnell.

One of the parents keeping watch on the nest from a corner of the courthouse. Photo courtesy of Chris Madsen.

Eyes and facial disk, beak, and the hint of ear tufts are the only distinguishing characteristics of this ball of fluffy down that is a Great Horned owlet. Photo courtesy of Linda McConnell.

Parent and child in the nest tree. Photo courtesy of Chris Madsen.

This year's only owlet tumbled out of the nest tree overnight Friday, March 29^th. Animal Control personnel rescued the bird and relocated him to the roof of the courthouse. Courthouse personnel report that the owlet, who was living on the roof of the building, left his courthouse "loft" on Wednesday, April 9^th. He flew down from the roof and joined his parents in trees south of the courthouse. Since then the family has patrolled the courthouse neighborhood. Prior to departing he had been very vocal in the morning, dancing along the roof ledge, begging for food. Mom obliged with fresh rabbit.

An owlet from last year's brood also fell from the nest tree and had to be rescued. That owlet suffered a broken wing and was taken to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Barrington.

On the subject of last year's rescue owlet, Dawn Keller of Flint Creek writes, "...Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation has decided to keep Justice (last year’s owlet) for education. As you recall, Justice broke his wing when he fell or flew out of his nest last year. His wing was surgically repaired but he lost about a centimeter of length due to the nature of the break. Although he is partially flighted, he cannot fly well enough to be released. We’ve started working with Justice on the glove and he will be a marvelous educational bird."

Mark your calendar: Justice is scheduled as the guest of honor at the February 11^th (2009) KCA membership meeting. He'll be just shy of his second birthday.

This year's lone surviving owlet looking up from a window well at the courthouse. Photo courtesy Ann Haverstock.

Kane County Animal Control to the rescue. Photo courtesy Ann Haverstock.

Loren and Dee from Animal Control have got their bird. They relocated the owlet to the roof of the courthouse where the parents could care for it. Photo courtesy Ann Haverstock.

Photos of the 2007 owls are here.