At a local spot with many trees, we spotted a pair of barred owls last
Friday perched is some small trees about 20 feet off the ground. We were
right under them when I spotted the first so we just sat there with a great
view for about 45 minutes. Finally, #1 flew off into a high pine where it
was harassed by crows. After about 20 minutes, #2 swooped took off too,
swooping to the ground. I followed the trail in their direction for about
50 yards and found them high in a pine, still being harassed by crows. One
had caught something, although I'm not sure what. A minute later, the one
with the food flew into a hollow space in a dead tree to eat. We don't know
if this was a nest or if it was just eating-we know they use holes in trees
for both.



We didn't go back Sat.-Monday (although we saw a great horned owl at NWR on
Sunday), but we went back Tuesday evening to see if the two barred owls were
still around. After about 1.5 hours of searching we decided to head home
discouraged when low and behold, I spotted one the owls in a tree very close
to the possible nest. We watched this owl for about 30 minutes, although it
really didn't do anything, and tried to see #2 to no avail. Finally #1
called "who cooks for you" and was answered by #2 nestled up next a tree
trunk high up on a branch directly above my head. Number 2 soon flew off
and #1 stayed close to the trunk with the hollowed out hole until we left.



Could this be a nest or do barred owls generally stay in such a small area
(maybe 50 yards in diameter) for 5 days at a time?



Thanks,



R