Who knew there were so many owls in our area? Who would have guessed that owls would go into a bird bath?

Members and guests at the Kingsville Horticultural Society meeting in May were educated on all of the amazing things that Chris and Sandy Jacobson have learned over the past few years.

Chris calls himself an “accidental backyard landlord ecologist.” I think the Jacobsons should be considered Owl Grandparents!

We learned that Eastern Screech Owls only live in the Americas. They are comfortable in urban areas where they have a good supply of food sources.

They don’t hoot and they really don’t screech either!

Owls don’t build their own nests — they find a hollow in a tree or a lovely nesting box made by a helpful human. Lazy or smart?

Many of us were surprised at the size of the Screech Owl.

Chris brought a sample of his nesting box with an adorable toy owl inside. I put my pen beside it to show you the height of the owl.

Since 2018, Chris has been building nesting boxes. Some were given to family and close friends but are now available for purchase through his Facebook page MegascopsManors.

The boxes are 11 inches wide, 17 inches tall and 10 inches deep. They have a 4-inch circular opening for the owls to enter and exit from.

During the COVID lockdown, the Jacobsons built 30 boxes in 30 days! Several of you who are reading this may already own one.

Thanks to the technology of WiFi cameras, we can become voyeurs into the lives of the owls.

Chris showed us some wonderful videos of the Gray Morph owls tending to their nests, eggs and babies.

Finally, a Rufous Morph male showed up. I really think he should be named Rufus W. (you know who I mean)!

It was fun watching the owlets take their first flight as they fledged from the nest. Infrared cameras are essential for night viewing of these nocturnal predators.

Chris and Sandy were surprised to see an adult owl bring 5 mice into the nest in one night.

It was very generous of Chris and Sandy to give their time to speak to our group. Everyone was enthralled.

You can watch some of the Jacobson’s videos on the Facebook page MegascopsManors and perhaps check Ontario Owls as well.

Maybe you will put up a nesting box and become Owl Grandparents too!