Homeschool families across the globe have opened their hearts and homes to a wonderful pair of Barn Owls named Molly & McGee of San Marcos, CA. This has been such a wonderful learning experience, books alone could never replace the opportunity to watch nature live and in color!
As of Sunday March, 21, one of Molly's eggs has hatched and the first little owlets name is "Max". We should see more eggs hatching in the days to come.
Carlos & Donna own the owl box located in their backyard in San Marcos, CA and is 15 feet off the ground. Molly appears to be a first time mom. The owl is about 14 inches tall. She laid her first egg on February 13th, 2010. We are expecting owlets around mid to late March. Incubation is 30 to 34 days. owlets will hatch in order laid. Not all at one time like chickens.
The male has a white chest and face. He usually shows up after dark but has spent an entire day with the female. We have named the female Molly and the male McGee. The Barn Owl is widespread but usually a scarce species. They are strictly nocturnal and rarely observed in flight during daylight hours.
The owl house is located on a 15 foot pole and there is a tree just outside the opening. The box has been up for two years and it took two years before the owls showed up. No other birds have tried to nest in the box. We have a very eco-friendly backyard; we live on an acre lot with lots of trees and plants for wildlife. We have had kestrels, bluebirds, hummingbirds, phoebes, wild ducks, killdeer and mockingbirds all nest and raise their young in our habitat. We do not have any cats or dogs to disturb the wildlife. This is our first owl to nest here.
