Pot Plant Owl

It's getting exciting! The 3 eggs are due to hatch the 4th or 5th October. For those watching the webcam during the day, you will notice more frequent hooting from the female, Pot Plant Owl (PPO). She keeps in constant contact with the male, Pappa. She will let him know as soon as the eggs start hatching so listen carefully. It is unlikely that you will see a glimpse of the chicks in the first 24 hours, because she protects her babies so well. That said, we'd love any photo / video that we may not get capturing the moment of their arrival.
Thanks to everyone that follows PPO, who chats with us on Ustream, who watches Africam's streaming of the owls live, and for those who post their photos and videos here for all to share.
Happy Viewing and looking forward to this season!
Kind regards
Tracy

Pot Plant Owl

Monday, October 3, 2011
Day 1 - 3 October 2011
It's unconfirmed at this stage, but there is every chance that we have our first hatching. At 11h50 local South African time, viewers saw Pot Plant Owl eating an eggshell.

Hours before, we had noticed PPO's change of behaviour to mirror what we usually see at this time when the chicks are due. PPO fidgets a lot in the nest, looks down and bends her head out of view. She sits more upright and we can confirm from our bedroom door view of her, that PPO is 'perching' rather than laying flat down. And the final tell-tale sign that could very well make the arrival of a chick true, is PPO's constant hooting today, and Pappa's immediate reply.

I'm not one for counting my chickens (owls) before they hatch, so I will try not to get too excited until I see the tiny bundle of white fluff for myself - or at the very lest, see it on someone's video or photograph.

So I encourage you all to keep a close eye on her, and see if you can spot our first PPO chick of the season. Happy viewing!
Posted by Pot Plant Owl at 8:24 AM 2 comments
1 October and the Heavens open...
The sudden change of weather always amazes me. One minute the day is bright and sunny, with the promise of many more days that are alike to follow. The next minute, the skies turn a threatening black, as thick clouds build up. You know there is one mighty storm on its way.

And today it came - signalling the start of our annual summer rainfall. Typically we have beautiful, hot days and in the later afternoon the clouds build up. The Highveld (the are where we live)is an area that frequently gets thunder and lightning storms.

Poor Pot Plant Owl lay in her nest, covering her eggs as best as she could. With the heavy rains, there isn't much chance of Pappa hunting, so they both go a little hungry tonight.