After Fuzz Ball’s demise, Momma Owl has not left the nest much. This image was taken early in the afternoon two days ago. She had reached the point that she was off the nest much more than being present at home, but now she hangs tight with her other owlet. This youngster is not yet branching, which is by far the latest in the five years I have watched the two parent owls. By Memorial Day each of the other four years, the owlets were always able to fly and exploring the Lester / Amity Forest … not this year. 
Category Archives: Year 10
Battling Birds of Sherburne
Oh my what a difference escaping Lake Superior makes in terms of climate. Earlier this week at home we had one day where even at high noon the temperature was 39F, and getting above 50F was impossible. Now I am 175 miles south for a family gathering and early summer is in full swing. Thus, at 5:30 yesterday morning I left for Wildlife Drive in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. The prairie lupine were in full bloom, and in the early morning sun the fields were alive in purple. Prince would have been happy! The water level is high, and the reeds have not grown high blocking easy birdwatching.
Given courting is in force, the birds were singing and fighting. Some of the earlier nesting birds took umbrage when other birds got too close. The first fight on the card was between Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese. Normally the swans force the geese to move, but the trumpeters did not take into account an early hatch and brood for the geese. They fought back hard and encouraged the swans to move on.
The Fight!
The Vanquished Deliver a Bronx Cheer!
The next conflict on the morning’s fight card was between a flock of Sandhill Cranes and Red-Winged Blackbirds. Even given the HUGE size difference the blackbirds eventually forced the cranes to move.
Next it was time out from the fighting to enjoy a lifer singing its heart out in front of the prairie lupines … a Grasshopper Sparrow.
And then the real reason I had ventured forth to Sherburne, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds. The males were singing and staking out territories. I don’t think any females had yet arrived on the breeding grounds.
R.I.P. Fuzz Ball
Fuzz Ball wanted to be free, and this morning the little owlet flew to its maker. Yesterday the little guy decided it was time to branch, which was made difficult because its temporary nest was not in the reach of branches. Yesterday morning after two attempts at placing Fuzz Ball in a pine tree yesterday morning only to see the Great Horned Owlet fall repeatedly to the ground, I returned it to its chair nest. However, just before sunset yesterday evening once Fuzz Ball jumped again to the ground and was off to explore. I knew putting the bird back up in its temporary nest was useless. It would just jump/fall again. Instead I relocated it on the ground deep in a protected bunch of deadfall. Given the parents were hooting at me, I knew they were well aware of the owlet’s location.
This morning I went hiking at 5:15 am, but could not find FuzzBall in the protected area. After a thorough search I found the owlet 100 yards away, next to a hiking path. I left the owlet for 20 minutes to return home and get some supplies. Upon my return I discovered Fuzz Ball had become prey … I suspect for some local foxes. While sad, staying in the wild under the care of its parents was Fuzz Ball’s best opportunity to live free. Unfortunately its real nest was too high to reach safely.
It is worth reading yesterday’s blog post, Fuzz Ball falls again, and again, and again.
R.I.P. Fuzz Ball
- Nest discovered: March 11th
- First Family Portrait of Fuzz Ball and its Mom: May 5th
- Fuzz Ball Falls Out of Real Nest: May 15th
- Fuzz Ball Dies: May 26th
Videos (links for email subscribers)
- Fuzz Ball on its real nest
- Fuzz Ball Gets Fed (new nest)
- Fuzz Ball Explores (yesterday)
- Fuzz Ball Falls (yesterday)