Nest building has started early in the Murray Valley near Parthenon, AR. Maybe this is just being territorial behavior and not real nest building. This usually happens about mid-January a full month from now. I have not seen them carry any sticks yet.
The Great Horned Owl in Nest in mid-December 2012
The great horned owl is one of the most fearsome predators of the wild. Almost its only natural enemy is other great horned owls.
Name: Derives from feathered tufts on each side of the head, which aren’t true ears.
Scientific name: Bubo virginianus.
Range: Almost everywhere in North America except the far Arctic.
Breeding: Begins mating hoots shortly after New Year’s and often nests by late January or February. Eggs sometimes freeze in the nest. Its early nesting season takes advantage of a larger prey base. Young owls mature as other creatures begin spring breeding and either become or produce owl food.
Size: As much as 25 inches long, with wingspan of 3 to 5 feet.
Age: As much as 29 years in captivity, probably 12 to 20 years in the wild for those that survive their youth.
Diet: Eats a wide range of insects, birds and animals, even skunks and porcupines.
Hunting technique: Mostly nocturnal but will hunt by day in forests, deserts and canyons. Dives noiselessly. Acute hearing and eyesight pinpoint activity on the darkest nights.
Nest: Uses former homes of eagles, hawks, herons, crows and sometimes squirrels
Nest evidence: Besides the nest occasionally smelling of skunk or other prey, the ground beneath might be littered with owl pellets: wads of hair, bone and feathers that aren’t digested by the young.
Flight speed: As much as 40 mph.
Life and Wildlife along the Little Buffalo River 
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