Farewell To February

The month has been cold, snowy and very icey. I certainly made good use of the ice cleats that strap on over my snow boots. Note to self: Buy a larger stock of salt/sand for next winter.

For a couple of weeks now, I have not seen my resident blue jays. As usual, they disappear from my yard at this time of year and prepare for their nesting season in a more secluded area. Consequently, my Eastern Screech Owl, who has been keeping me company this winter, is emboldened to sun bath in full view on her roost box's door rail. I presume it's a 'her' because of her size which is always larger than the male.

Through partly closed eyes she tolerates me taking yet another picture.

Screech owls have been using the boxes I made since 2004. But disappointingly, only for winter roosting, never for nesting. Lucky for owl fans, the Jollyville screech owl live camera is again keeping tabs on their stars, Olivia and Alton in Austin, Texas, USA. Last year the pair hatched five eggs. Live feed video of these owls can be seen at:

The Jollyville Screech Owl House - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UConQGZUvjCTtjs9pxwLEJCQ

House mate/cat friend, Ellie Mae is an excellent reporter when something unusual appears outside. From one of her window seats, her body language says, "Hey, get off that couch and look at what's outside." At dusk a couple of weeks ago she pointed out a red fox that was running up our laneway. It's tail was bare except for a short piece of fur on the tip. Mange is a terrible thing. The poor creature ran up my drive and then away down the public road on a desperate mission of some sort.

This morning Ellie Mae pointed out a happier scene --a mother wild turkey followed by two of last year's poults. 

Mother Wild Turkey strolls about my ice laden yard.

One of her two accompanying poults follows her lead.

Sorry gang, the squirrels have already polished off the bird seed.

The Usual Crowd

I must say, I'm enjoying this early stage of winter. The cold air is refreshing and I rather enjoy the productive exercise of clearing snow from my smallish driveway. On very cold days, the snow squeaks pleasingly underfoot. Also, I take pleasure in the feeder birds, the rabbits and reading tracks in the snow. The prints (or lack thereof) tell me that the raccoons and skunks are spending more time in their dens and that every few days a fox trots by. Sometimes I see two rabbits of about equal size, peacefully sharing a feeder together.  They especially enjoy the occasional peanut butter treat. I may have overdone it here with the bunny pics, but they are just so irresistibly cute!

Peter or Petra Cotton Tail and I focus on each other.

No sign of danger from the road.

All looks clear from the backyard.

It's safe to chow down.

Ellie Mae enjoys the live theatre from her window seat.

 
My little screech owl is now using the boxes I made for winter roosting and for storing prey items safely away from crows, etc. It's fun to think that while I have my pantry, it also keeps a larder.

The Eastern Screech Owl has resumed winter roosting in it's rustic old box.

Bluejays feel duty-bound to report it's whereabouts.

So far, only the usual crowd has shown up at my feeders. There is still plenty of natural forage about. As winter progresses, I expect surprise bird species to appear and always expect the unexpected. No doubt my yard must compete with those of bird loving neighbours who also keep well-stocked feeders.

The usual crowd of gold finches feeding near my kitchen window.

Ellie Mae reminded me of an arctic fox as she lay curled, nose to tail.

Occupied!

Late this afternoon I had a welcome surprise. My resident Eastern Screech-Owl was using one of my winter roosting boxes for the first time this season. Usually the nuthatches, chickadees and bluejays grab my attention when they scold and mob a box occupied by the owl but this time they did not. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention at the right time. In any case, I'm thrilled to have this little cutie keeping me company and only about twenty feet from my living room window.

After the sun had completely set, the owl came out of the box and perched for a few minutes on the branch section I've attached under the entrance. I think this bird is a female because she is larger then a male owl would be. 

Welcome to your winter digs, little one. I hope you like the fresh wood shavings I added to the floor. Sorry the box with the south facing entrance is not available this winter. It was rented earlier to a little red squirrel. I know you'd love to meet him. Particularly out in the open and on a dark night! 

My Eastern Screech-Owl watching the yard through narrowed eyes.

Checking the area for small game.

Last year in a box that is currently occupied by a red squirrel.