Updated: May 5, 2023
This has been an unusual Owl Cam season and unfortunately, the eggs have not hatched. This represents the first time in over a decade that the nesting location has failed to produce viable offspring.
In early March, we could already tell that things were shaping up a little differently than in years past. Mama laid the first egg on March 11, with a second egg coming on March 16 – a full five days later. She left the first egg un-incubated for most of the first two days at near-freezing temperatures. She finally settled into incubating the eggs full time around March 13-14th. This laying behavior was quite unusual compared to the consistent pattern we had seen in the Owl Box over the last decade, suggesting that this may have been a new or inexperienced female or pair. Mama Owl began taking longer breaks from the nest, but did not completely abandon the box.
We noticed that the parents continued to return to the box to check on the eggs several times a day over the past 3 weeks. We will keep an eye on the them as the spring and summer progresses. Thank you all for watching this real life nature drama!
Learn about the history of the Owl Box here. You can watch Barred Owl Cam highlights from previous years here.
Female Barred Owl Leaves Eggs Unattended During Hatch Watch | April 18, 2023
Barred Owls Make A Meal Out Of A Mouse | April 13, 2023
Female Barred Owl Takes Fish Delivery To Go | April 10, 2023
Bat For Breakfast At The Barred Owl Nest | April 10, 2023
2023 Owl Cam Timeline:
Mama Owl Checked Out the Box: Early March
First Egg Laid: March 11, 2023
Second Egg Laid: March 16, 2023
Incubation typically lasts 28 – 33 days from when the first or second egg is laid.
It was clear the eggs were not going to hatch: April 19, 2023
The eggs did not develop.
The WBU Barred Owl Cam is a partnership between Wild Birds Unlimited and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Visit the lab’s All About Birds web site to learn more about Barred Owls and to check out out additional bird cams.
