Susan,
Cheers! Stephanie Winterrowd Wise, Wise County
After sending earlier post, took my nightly yard stroll. As I went out the door, heard a barred owl calling. Then a few minutes later, the growling/barking calls of the Great Horned Owl protecting its nest. Spotted an owl on tree branch overlooking lake. Size appeared right for Great Horned, but could not make a positive identification in the dark. The deep, growling/barking calls continued for a few minutes. It appears there is a nest close by, probably in the grove of trees in the cow pasture next door There are several squirrel nests and a raptor nest (probably a Red-tail) in the tree grove, and several dead trees in the pasture pond with holes that may be large enough for a Great Horned Owl, although they may not be high enough off the ground. Thoughts? Nicholson atlas states nests in hollow trees 4.6-18.3m off the ground.
Sure wish you could have heard the calls, truly amazing - will keep you posted.
I'll need to climb the barbed wire fence to search for the nest!
Susan Hubley
Rogersville, Hawkins County
Stephanie Morgan Winterrowd Department of Natural Sciences The University of Virginia's College at Wise 1 College Avenue Wise, VA 24293
(276) 376-4692 s_winterrowd@xxxxxxxxxxx