One of the joys of late Fall in New York City is the ability to relocate owls that during the warmer months easily hide in tree tops during the day.
What may be the last remaining Eastern Screech-Owl in Central Park, was found again now that the weather is colder.
Eastern Screech-Owls have been reintroduced to Central Park over the last twelve years. I’ve enjoyed monitoring them over the last five years.
This winter some friends and I kept track of what we believe is the last surviving pair from the reintroductions. Unfortunately, just after the pair started nesting, they lost their cavity to two squirrels and the male owl disappeared and is presumed dead.
The female continues to stay in the area. Each night she calls to advertise her availability to other owls, but no one answers.
After a few days not seeing the female Eastern Screech-Owl due to the snow, she’s back in her current cavity. She came out fairly late. I was able to take some good pictures however due to a street lamp.
She went to a western tree after fly out and then went north across The Pool before going up the eastern side of the Great Hill.
Just back from vacation, I went up to The Pool to see how the female Eastern Screech-Owl was doing. She’s doing just fine but it’s clear she’s a widow now.
Tonight, as she left the cavity, it looked like she was banded. I haven’t seen a clear look at a band this season, so this was a surprise.
After fly out she went to a tree to the west of the cavity, rather than east, and then ended up going across the ice to Sweetgums on the north shore of The Pool. She then went up to the Great Hill and out of sight.
Tonight, the female was vocal again. She called after fly out and again about twenty to thirty minutes later. If she keeps being vocal, it will certainly make owl watching easier.
We got disturbed by a helicopter, which appeared to be looking for the coyote, just after fly out.
(I’m away for two weeks, so don’t expect any updates until mid-February.)
Our Gray Girl was back near the Black Locust tonight. I arrived after fly out, but I suspect she’s using the cavity in the Locust.
She was quickly on the move so I only got one picture. She ended up going across The Pool, then I lost her. It was nice to see her again.
