Almost took an owl to the face last night

[happybird]

It’s the third time in my life I can remember involuntarily shrieking.


I had a pot roast in the crock pot. It was due to be ready around midnight so at 11:00 I started preparing the carrots to toss in the pot. The bag had one funky carrot in it. Depending on how bad produce is, I will sometimes throw it off the deck, out into the woods for the critters. The crazy turkeys seem to have scared off the foxes, so I am trying to encourage the rabbit population. Anyhow…

I was focused to listening to a meeting playing on my iPad as I stepped out of the kitchen door and onto the covered deck. Took a few steps over to the flood light switch so I could see to aim my funky carrot. Flipped on the light and heard a great flapping sound. All I could see were giant, multi-shade brown wings directly to my left. It missed my head by inches.

The noise that came out of me was inhuman.

That sucker buzzed me like Goose and Maverick buzzing the tower in Top Gun.

After retreating back inside, I realized it must have been an owl. Maybe a hawk? Where do hawks sleep? Because there is a big nest in the light fixture of the ceiling fan out there. It’s a large, bowl shaped fixture. Saw the twigs a couple days ago and hadn’t yet gotten around to checking if there are eggs in there. If there are eggs I’ll leave the nest till babies are gone. Otherwise, it needs to come out of there.

So please pray for me. After this cup of coffee is gone I’m headed out there to investigate. I really don’t feel like getting a raptor to the face today.


UPDATE:

No eggs! I put on eye protection and covered my head as well as possible and got up in there. Had a second when I thought I saw big eggs... then realized it was the lightbulbs.


Going to clear the nest out and use some deer netting to cover the top of the fixture.

[slumcamper]

1. That's serious--as you note!

It's nesting season and owls are uncharacteristically aggressive toward anything--or anyone--threatening their brood.

A few years ago a man out for a routine walk along railroad tracks in Clarence, Iowa was attacked by an owl which happened to be defending its nest. He lost his eye in the incident. I suspect such things happen much more often than we hear!

Careful, happybird! Glad you're okay.

[happybird]

12. Thank you!

[lastlib]

15. I almost got one in the face several years ago.....

...but there was a windshield between him and me--I was driving at night on a back road. It kinda glanced off the windshield, but I don't think it was seriously injured--I stopped to check, but never found it, so I assumed it flew away okay. Pretty scary, though, to see one coming at you that way, and there's almost nothing you can do about it. Yeah, I made a loud noise, too.

[Nittersing]

2. Oh a nest would be pretty cool!

Is this an entry way you can avoid for the duration? I'd be very excited if a large bird nested where I could enjoy the progress!

[riversedge]

3. Next time bang the door for noise before you step out in the dark.

I learned that living on a farm.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. when my mom retired early she had to go to her old school to finish off her contract

this went for 2 years . she stayed with a friend which had a fam of skunks . you had to tromp loudyso that one didnt get sparyed .

[happybird]

6. I do when going in the driveway or yard

Have never had an issue with the deck before, although my neighbor had a bear on his a couple years ago. Pulled the curtain back on the sliding glass door and was face to face with what he said was the biggest bear he's ever seen up here.

I usually have loud music playing while I'm cooking but didn't last night.

[Attilatheblond]

5. Owls do seem to like swooping and scaring humans at night.

Maybe they're saying something like: Back off puny land crawler, the night belongs to us!

There was a great horned owl who liked to sit on the sign over the little grocery store foyer at night. Whoever worked the last shift was usually treated to a 'from behind' swoop and near brush of wings when the stepped out of the store's shadow and onto the street. That damned owl would terrify you if you were deep in thought when you left work.

If you didn't hear wings flap, almost certainly an owl. If you heard wings flap, likely a hawk. Either way, if you're encouraging rabbits, expect more of the same as you are creating a Predator Cafe.

[happybird]

8. Ooh. I forgot about owl's wings being silent

Last edited Fri Mar 22, 2024, 03:10 PM - Edit history (1)

Definitely heard flapping.

The nest is clear. It must have been sitting on the railing, which would definitely make a great perch for hunting. I figured it came from the nest because it was above my head so quickly, but looking around out here there is enough room for it to get some elevation from the far side of the deck to where I was at the flood light switch.

It's like Wild Kingdom out here, lol! I was fortunate enough to see a bobcat a several months ago. Knew they were here, they are just so elusive. I see lots of bald eagles, too, which is awesome.

[SYFROYH]

7. this is what happens when you wear Mickey Mouse hats when grilling.

[happybird]

9. Lol!

[hlthe2b]

10. A handy owl tip... (especially if out at dark)-- wear a baseball cap..

There have been several instances of owls mistaking human heads-- for whatever reason-- when they are stalking prey. Those talons can do a "good" job scalping. At least with a cap on, you probably won't suffer the same damage. Carrying a light is good too. I take these things seriously given my pre-dawn routine walks with the pup.

[GreenWave]

11. Who could have predicted this? Who?

Blue Owl, your thoughts please,

[happybird]

13. An ever-so-helpful friend sent this, and I'm feelin' it

[Niagara]

14. Happy Owldays, happybird.

Glad that both you and your unexpected neighbor are alright!

[Prairie_Seagull]

16. As far as I am aware this does no harm to an animal.

If you are looking for something with eyes at night, use a flashlight. I use an old incandescent D cell flashlight for this. When you shine the flashlight in their direction the animal will look at you and you will see the shining eyes staring back at you. Deer and dogs including coyotes are greenish. Not sure about owls.