Two Great Horned Owlets were admitted after the tree they were nesting in blew down in a storm. Upon admission, I was unable to find any injuries during the initial examination. The owlets were in good weight and in good condition so I contacted an arborist for help. The owlets were in care for only a short period while arrangements with arborist, Chris Verall, were made to to get them back into a nearby tree using an artificial nest. A couple of days later, we all met at the woodlot where the owls had been nesting. Chris worked his magic and made quick work of climbing the tree and securing the artificial nest in place. Then the 2 owlets were hoisted up the tree and placed in to the nest. We didn't see any parents while we were there but crows frantically calling in the background tipped us off to what was likely an adult roosting in a nearby tree. There were many observers watching the renesting happen, who were invested in this owl family, and ensuring the parents returned to the owlets. The next morning, I received beautiful photos from Wilhelmina Veens Waters of the mother owl perched in a nearby tree, as well as pictures of the 2 owlets poking their heads over the edge of the laundry basket. It was a success! The parents were attentively caring for their young at the new nest site. The two owlets successfully fledged the nest shortly after they were renested.
The two sibling owlets branching out after a successful renesting.
Photo credit: Wilhelmina Veens Waters
The 2 owlets in the artificial nest the following morning.
Photo credit: Wilhelmina Veens Waters
Momma GHOW overseeing her owlets in a nearby tree the next morning.
Photo credit: Wilhelmina Veens Waters
Great Horned Owlets in care after the tree they were nesting in fell down.
Arborist Chris Verall bringing an owl up to place in the nest.