Potted Plant Owls are back in Johannesburg

[AlisonL]

From the site:

Yesterday afternoon Johannesburg was rocked by severe thunderstorms. Strong winds, mini tornadoes, large hail stones and heavy rain caused damage to roofs, cars and roads with loss of life and injuries.

I watched the nest as Lady crouched low staying out of the wind. Thankfully, she was not hit by any large hailstones. At the back of the house, Pappa hid in the branches of the tree. As soon as the weather cleared he came to check up on the nest. Watch him here as he arrives:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_PEuP1LPXM

Lady, soaking wet, with hailstones. I'm so glad she and Pappa are both okay after the storm.

[AlisonL]

Unfortunately, the eggs did not hatch, and it is way past the time when they might still be viable. I feel really bad for Lady and Pappa. Lady incubated so faithfully, and Pappa provided food and support.

From the site yesterday:

Sadly, the eggs are so far overdue that they cannot be viable. To save Lady from the stress of sitting on infertile eggs , and Pappa from the stress of feeding her, we will remove the eggs at the first opportunity.

You Tube viewers may see their 'mating ritual' in the nest as she prepares to lay the next clutch. This could be in a week or two.

[Donna]

I wonder what is going on with the eggs!!! How very sad for them. 

Thanks for the update Alison!

[Tapper Gal]

 

I wonder what is going on with the eggs!!! How very sad for them. 

Thanks for the update Alison!

[Tapper Gal]

   Sorry for this news.

[Kris G.]

I wonder what is going on with the eggs!!! How very sad for them. 

Thanks for the update Alison!

She did the same last yr then successfully 2nd clutched.

[AlisonL]

I wonder what is going on with the eggs!!! How very sad for them. 

Thanks for the update Alison!

She did the same last yr then successfully 2nd clutched.

You're right, Kris, she did. Last year's first clutch was her first with Pappa. Of course, there is never any guarantee, but I hope that she will be able to reclutch successfully this year.

[AlisonL]

From the site, posted eight hours ago:

Those of you following on You Tube will have seen that we have removed the eggs. On examination, they were infertile.

As I sit here now, the owls are on the neighbours roof and I expect them back on our balcony shortly for the mating 'dance'. The web cam is streaming.

[Kris G.]

From FB..

And here we have it. Confirmation of two new eggs in the other pot plant on the balcony with a proud mom keeping watch.

Streaming will stop until...sigh...we get the experts back in....sigh...to move the camera to focus on this other pot plant nest...sigh.

They love playing games and keeping us on our toes.

[AlisonL]

Posted on the site an hour ago:

We've had a wonderful amount of much-needed rain recently. This has left gardens absolutely soaking wet. Of course, garden birds have not escaped the heavy rainfall.

In this rain, Lady has sat diligently on her eggs, doing her best to keep the eggs dry and warm.

Until this morning.

After heavy rain again last night, we woke up to find Lady gone and the eggs abandoned. We're not sure if this persistently heavy rain influenced her decision or if there are other reasons.

Pappa isn't around this morning either which leads us to believe that it was a deliberate decision to abandon eggs they feel are unviable.

Of course I'll only rest well when I see them both flying around again. Will keep you posted.

I hope Lady and Pappa are both safe. Very sad that the eggs have been abandoned.

[Kris G.]

Posted on the site an hour ago:

We've had a wonderful amount of much-needed rain recently. This has left gardens absolutely soaking wet. Of course, garden birds have not escaped the heavy rainfall.

In this rain, Lady has sat diligently on her eggs, doing her best to keep the eggs dry and warm.

Until this morning.

After heavy rain again last night, we woke up to find Lady gone and the eggs abandoned. We're not sure if this persistently heavy rain influenced her decision or if there are other reasons.

Pappa isn't around this morning either which leads us to believe that it was a deliberate decision to abandon eggs they feel are unviable.

Of course I'll only rest well when I see them both flying around again. Will keep you posted.

I hope Lady and Pappa are both safe. Very sad that the eggs have been abandoned.

How sad!     I hope they’re both safe too, Alison.

[Carol P.]

 

[Donna]

Bad luck at this site lately!! Hope they are both OK!! 

[Dumpsterkitty]

PPOs eggs failed again this year, but she and Poppa will have a chance to raise babies! A nearby rescue had 2 orphaned spotted eagle owl chicks that have now been fostered into PPOs nest! So far, so good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq12aa5Srh0

[Dot_Forrester]

Best pf luck to all involved!

Dot in PA

PPOs eggs failed again this year, but she and Poppa will have a chance to raise babies! A nearby rescue had 2 orphaned spotted eagle owl chicks that have now been fostered into PPOs nest! So far, so good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq12aa5Srh0