7 March 2025

On Tuesday 4 March Jim McCollum visited Schenley Park to see the great horned owls’ nest. While there he was lucky to see a nestling stand up and stretch. Look who has wings!

Great horned owls in Schenley Park, 4 March 2025 (photos by Jim McCollum)

These wings are not fully developed yet but they are looking good and will be further along today than they were three days ago.

When will the Schenley owlets fly?

Here is my best guess at when the nestlings will fly from the Schenley Park bridge nest.

• Based on their appearance and behavior I think the first egg hatched around 5 February and the second about two days later. Approximate hatch dates = 5-7 Feb. [Update from Tamarack: Hatching was approx 28-30 January.]
• Great horned owl nestlings walk off the nest and start “branching” at 5-6 weeks = approximately 12-21 March.
• Branching youngsters fly away from the nest — “fledging” — at 9-10 weeks = early April. I am not sure of this estimate. It may be sooner (late March) though I doubt it will be later in April.

Recap: Where to View the Nest
If you want to see the owls’ nest bring binoculars, a camera and a scope if you have them to this location in Schenley Park near the stone bench on the Lower Trail (click this link for the map).

Here’s what the bridge looks like when you get there. Look for the nest at the red circle area in this photo.