Hi all-

I have a question for the experts on Tweeters about the Great Horned Owls
in my neighborhood. For the past several weeks I have been hearing
'screeching' vocalizations. They sound like VERY LOUD fingernails on a
chalkboard (I wonder whether younger generations will know this analogy?).

They are definitely GHOWs, since they can be clearly seen silhouetted
against the sky at dusk. There are typical GHOW hoots in the area at the
same time, but from different owls in different trees. Last night there
were two screeching owls, and two hooting ones, and one of the hooters was
lower in pitch than the other. I remember hearing these vocalization
other years also.

I've imagined that these screechers may be juveniles being 'weaned' from
parental feeding, but can someone on Tweeters confirm this or supply the
correct explanation? Thanks.

Also, I'd like to thank Deborah W.-P. who posted the robert francis poem
(in today's digest) and whoever posted the Wendell Berry poem a couple of
weeks ago which is now posted on my wall. Those both made my day.

Tom Besser
tbesser at vetmed.wsu.edu