One of the annual highlights here at DCHS’s Wildlife Center is the arrival of our first owlet – with Great Horned Owls being some of the earliest breeding species found in our area. This year, in 2026, we received one of these itty-bitty babies earlier than any other time in our program’s history: February! It appears they were out-and-about early this season, falling to the ground due to strong winds and poor nest quality. Nevertheless, our team was quickly in-gear and ready to help as soon as it happened. 

Great Horned Owl (GHOW) hatchling #26-0147 was admitted on February 17th, 2026, late in the afternoon after it was found underneath a large tree on the Edgewood High School Campus. The baby was hiding behind some branches for extra shelter with a sibling and mom peering down from above. Werndli Apprentice Lynnea Colbert was excited to jump into action - ultimately rescuing her first owlet, bringing it to DCHS for an initial injury evaluation, and joining last year’s Apprentice, Jessica Robinson, to return it back to the site for re-nesting. With support from local arborists and our trained raptor reuniting volunteers, Lynnea recalls the experience, stating: 

“I picked him up and brought him back to the Wildlife Center and then brought the nest basket to the nest site, so I saw the whole thing. Getting to see the entire process was so exciting! From picking up this tiny owlet to looking him over to getting to watch our trained arborist and volunteers help get him reunited in a new and secure nest was such a fulfilling and full circle moment to be a part of. I had never worked with a young raptor patient, and being that raptors are some of my favorite patients, it was a super rewarding experience. It’s something I hope I can continue to be a part of in the future!” 

Dozens of young owls and hawks are returned to their nests each year as part of this regular process, with careful monitoring being necessary post-release. Volunteers stay around the site until parents are verified (if they weren’t already present), and they return the following day to confirm that the babies have continued to receive care from adults – since there’s always a small chance the process could fail. Not only was this specific reuniting attempt successful, but community members continued to watch the babies grow and thrive long after! Our team received an update from a local citizen, Hank, on March 1st who had been actively monitoring since the re-uniting event took place. He sent us photos of the babies together in the nest, dutifully provided for by both of their parents, and progress notes.  

Then, on March 10th, another report came through from a different person who had photos to confirm that the babies had officially fledged from the nest – almost a month later, as expected! They were showing their cute little horns and able to make short flights away. This is a process that typically occurs 6 to 8 weeks after hatching. At that time, no further intervention was necessary, as advised by our team of licensed wildlife rehabilitators.  

We are grateful for every person who played a part in this success story – small or large! These birds survived, thrived, and grew up naturally in the environment with invested people to help them along the way. This truly encompasses the mission of Dane County Humane Society in the spirit of “Helping People Help Animals” in all of the best ways possible. 

Jackie Edmunds is the Wildlife Program Manager at DCHS's Wildlife Center.