Hoot-Hoot

Or Screech Screech....?

Either way - Screech Owls!!

4 baby Screech Owl were released back into the wild from the William C. Kraner Nature Center on Wednesday. Screech Owls are a small breed of owl commonly found throughout the eastern half of the United States. Apart from their size, they look a lot like the Great Horned Owl, which I'm told is a defense mechanism (if you've ever seen a Great Horned Owl you'd understand that's a solid defense tactic - the birds are HUGE). The 4 babies were brought to the center, 3 found abandoned together, the 4th alone. The center kept them for about 3 months before they were deemed fit for release. The event also celebrated the grand reopening of the nature center after some renovation.

Steve Holloway, chair of the Licking County Park District, releases a baby Screech Owl back into the wild at the William C. Kraner Nature Center on Wednesday. To celebrate the grand reopening of the center, 4 baby Screech Owls were released onto the preserve after being rehabilitated by the center for almost 3 months. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

A baby Screech Owl sits on the edge of a storage shed on Wednesday after being released into the wild at the William C. Kraner Nature Preserve. 4 baby Screech Owls were rehabilitated and released to celebrate the centers grand reopening. Jason Lenhart/The Advocate

Photos © Jason Lenhart