A few years ago, when we were still very new to Mockingbird Hill Cottage, my husband and I were sitting on the porch at dusk. At the edge of my awareness, I kept hearing a whinnying sound. It wasn’t coming from a horse. It was coming from the trees surrounding the front of MHC. We were fascinated by the sound – it was very distinctive – and it definitely involved more than one creature. I stood at the porch railing and noticed what I thought were rather large brown birds diving to the ground. They were calling back and forth to each other.
We stood out there a long time, silently, trying to see these birds in the increasing darkness. As we were about to go in the house, one of them landed on a branch of our Maple tree – a few feet away from the porch. I found myself staring into large, beautiful eyes. It was an owl. Not the large creature one usually thinks of, but a little owl no more than 8 or 9 inches in height. We stared at each other for a magical minute and then the owl flew off. I was completely entranced.
I ran inside to do some research and found out they are Eastern Screech Owls. What makes this all the more special is that while they live in many parts of the country, they are rarely seen. They have a whinnying call and they live and nest in tree cavities or nest boxes. We have at least 2 or more who live in our trees and fly back and forth, calling to each other.
Image from WikipediaWhen I returned home from San Diego, I asked my husband about the owls – had he heard them yet? No. A few nights ago, Don was upstairs doing some work and he came down and said “I think I heard our friends.” We quietly moved onto the porch, and spent about a half-hour listening to our friends call to each other, watched them swoop from tree to tree, whinnying, hooting, and silently flying, while all around us lightning bugs glowed in the dark.
Our Weeping Willow is huge and overgrown – it most likely needs trimming of some sort. We’ve had all sorts of opinions as to whether it should be trimmed at the top or whether that would be bad for the tree. But since I think the owls nest there, we will be leaving it alone. After all, the tree is their home.
What a beautiful story. How wonderful to have such beautiful creatures making their home near yours. Yes, I would leave the tree alone too. It’s so beautiful. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Patti
Very Cool!! It is lovely to see the birds in their trees!
Hugs, Lisa
Very interesting post.
I have been getting more and more interested in birds as I age…why is that?
We have owls sore about our home too but they are huge!
I am so glad you will not trim the tree for two reasons… of course for the owls as they call it there home, also for these beautiful grand trees are no longer in our province, of MB. They are slowly disappearing,due to an illness.Its so good to see they are still thriving else were.
Have a good weekend
Tracy
Claudia, what a beautiful magical yard you have! I agree, leave their home as it is :) Have a beautiful day, Claudia! Hugs, Marsha
Hello – I just stopped by for a visit from Kelee Katillac’s blog! What a great site, I enjoyed your articles and will stop back soon to visit!
Isn’t that a wonderful story. Yes keep the tree for them I should say.
I love stories like this!
All that AND you have fireflies!
California children are deprived in that area.
We have a bird living around here that we call the “boogity bird” for the sound it makes.
I have no idea what kind of bird it is, nor have I ever seen it.
Boogity-Boogity!
how neat that you have owls, even better you have fireflys!!!!
You are so blessed to have owls nesting right in your tree. we have some that live in the woods behind our house, sometimes I hear them hooting at about 5 AM. Once they were in the tree outside Jake’s window but he didn’t hear them.
Love and miss you,
M
Claudia,
I loved reading about your owls…birds are such wonderfully interesting and fun creatures to watch! Thanks for visiting my blog and for commenting on my Egret! I also LOVE your willow tree. We lost ours in the So. CA winds a few years back and I truly miss it!
Have fun watching your feathered friends!
Georgia
Grandma G’s
http://grandmags.blogspot.com
the tree is gorgeous.
wendy
You have such a beautiful garden Claudia…that tree is amazing.
Screech owls are one of my favorite bids :-) I would be over the moon if we had them in our garden.