Someone’s Handy Work

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

I’ve seen this before where someone has provided a nest for Great Horned Owls.
As Owls don’t do their own nest building and reply on other birds like Crows to do it for them.

Since Crows build a new nest each season…the old nest is there for the taking and will often be used by Great Horned Owls if in a suitable location.
These nests after being used in a second year are usually unusable again and a new location would be required.

Humans lend a helping hand by constructing nests for owls to use year after year…such is the case at this location.
Unclear just how long the nest has been there…but does appear to be very sturdy and should last a long time.

Operation…Snow Clearing

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Last week Manitoba had been hit with a Colorado Low that dumped a few inches of snow…and I’m sure like most we all thought Spring was here until it hit.
Not a big deal for us humans but cameras on the Peregrine nest box at the Radisson showed otherwise.

The box was full of snow…fortunately no eggs had yet to be laid. With the amount of snow in the box could very well have been enough for the Peregrines to think twice about using the box.

Arrangements were made…Operation Snow Clearing was underway. This would also give us a chance to re-introduce ourselves to Ella & Pip.
All was calm and quiet on the roof…then that all so familiar kak,kak,kak,kak as Ella showed up to defend the site, with Pip showing up soon after.

Hopefully they appreciated our snow removal efforts in the nest box…then it was home to clear my own sidewalk and driveway.