On The Wild Side: Owls and swan reunion among 2024’s top moments

By ANN BROKELMAN

For me, every year brings incredible moments in nature that I’ll never forget, and 2024 was no exception!

As the year wound down, my husband and I were thrilled to welcome a new resident to our backyard: a gray Eastern Screech Owl in our nesting box whom I call Stu or Sue. I might be more excited than my husband, but I’ve caught him peeking out the windows more often, checking on the box.

Even as I write this, I can see the owl from my office window, poking his head out through the little hole in the front, while my outside camera quietly records his behaviour.

Some of you who have been reading my stories for years may remember that I had a pair of owl’s nest in my backyard several years ago. That first pair, which successfully hatched a few owlets, remains one of my favourite wildlife memories.

OK, this isn’t the same owl, and it’s only one, but I’m beyond eager to observe and learn more about my new neighbour. Who-who knows, maybe another owl will soon arrive, and babies will follow once again!

Interestingly, this wasn’t my first encounter with a screech owl in my neighbourhood in 2024.

Back in the spring, a neighbour came to our door and said that there was an owl lying on the road. I rushed out and found a screech owl on its back, motionless. I couldn’t help but think, based on how it looked, that I was already too late to help. Carefully, I picked it up.

With its eyes still closed, and to my great surprise, the owl extended its talons toward me. Yes, he nailed me good with both talons.

Despite being hit by a car, he still had some fight left in him! I guess he could have been instinctively trying to grab onto a branch, but I’m pretty sure his fight reflex was kicking in.

Knowing that he must have medical attention, I took him to the Toronto Wildlife Centre as soon as was possible. The staff there discovered that the poor bird had eye ulcers and immediately began treatment.

Three weeks later, I received a call: the owl was ready for release. Later that day, my husband, my son Erik, his fiancé (now wife) Kyla, and my granddaughters Lara, Cara, Diana all gathered in the backyard, where the trees provide the perfect habitat, to release the owl back into the wild.

Was this owl the same one that has moved into my backyard?

Screech owls come in a range of colours—red, gray, brown, and even ginger, but gray might be the most common. I’ll never know for sure, but it’s comforting to think that the rescue bird got a good look at our yard and decided to come back for a longer visit.

I can guarantee that if we’re lucky enough to have owlets, I’ll be sure to share the news with you!

Another unforgettable moment from 2024 was the summer release of a Trumpeter Swan Y37 named Mango.

This moment is the first ‘viral’ moment I’ve been a part of. I’m guessing many of you are familiar with the moment, even if you didn’t know I have a close connection to it.

Thanks to the quick action of the Toronto Wildlife Centre, Mango was rescued after being found bleeding from the mouth. Just two days later, I was asked to help release the swan.

What made the experience truly magical was the unexpected reunion between Mango and his mate 717 Charlotte. The moment was captured on video by my friend Shona and Deborah, and that footage quickly made its way around the globe.

Watching the two swans run towards each other, honking and with wings flapping in seeming happiness, reunite, and swim off together was one of the most touching scenes I’ve ever witnessed.

I’ve replayed the video dozens of times myself, and it’s incredible to think that millions of others around the world have shared in that heartwarming moment.

I feel incredibly lucky to have shared so many of my animal adventures with readers of the Beach Metro Community News.

Your notes and stories about your own nature encounters have been a joy to read, and I hope you’ll keep them coming!

As for my goals for 2025, I’ve got a few ideas about seeing something new: I hope to visit Alberta to see the wild horses roaming free and, closer to home, I’m hoping to spot my first ermine (short-tailed weasel) in beautiful white winter coat.

Here’s to more adventures in nature in 2025! Happy New Year, and may your year be filled with amazing wildlife sightings!

Here is the YouTube of Mango and Charlotte’s reunion: