Barred Owl Family History

Part IV
2001

Gomer

Gomer and Roamer stayed near the sycamore grove where they were hatched through the winter and well into the spring of 2001. These pictures were made in February, 2001. Meanwhile Junior was not seen, but could be heard occasionally

Roamer

Penelope and Junior

In May, Junior (right) reappeared with a mate that he had attracted. We named his mate Penelope (left). Like Mama, she proved to be shy and reclusive. We think that Penelope and Junior nested in a tree on an island in Killbuck Creek. They may have avoided the hollow in which Junior had been hatched two years earlier because it had been damaged in a storm.

On May 13, 2001 (Mother's Day) this fledgling owl appeared on the island with Penelope and Junior in close attendance. We named him Merlin.

Here, a very wet Penelope has just caught a mouse on a rainy day, and Junior keeps a close watch on his family.

Merlin

With the undivided attention of two parents, Merlin grew quickly. In the picture above, he is seen in late June, 2001. Meanwhile, Gomer and Roamer apparently moved on as they were not seen after late May.

Merlin continued to grow and mature through the summer. He is seen above in early August, and below in early September, 2001, with his head rotated 180 degrees to look over his back. His parents were not seen between early August and wintertime.

The Owl Story continues on next page.

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