SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

We have Owlet #2 - HUNTER !

Welcome Hunter - Hatch at 5:08pm 4/9/13
The Hunter Valley is a region of Australia north of Sydney - known for its fine vineyards, horse breeding, and tourism along the mighty Hunter River.
see video of hatch below
Piping starts this morning and by afternoon after waiting patiently the patience paid off, our second successful hatch of Clutch 3


Below 5:02pm


Name Origin:  
Background on Australia’s Hunter Valley Region: The Hunter Region, more commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, Australia, extending from approximately 120 km (75 mi) to 310 km (193 mi) north of Sydney. It contains the Hunter River and its tributaries with highland areas to the north and south. 

 The Hunter Valley is one of the largest river valleys on the NSW coast, and is most commonly known for its vineyards, horse breeding, and tourism along the mighty Hunter River. Over 30,000 years ago the Wonnarua tribe of aboriginal Australians inhabited the land that is now known as the Hunter Valley region. Along with the Worimi tribe to the north and the Awabakal to the south, the Wonnarua developed a trading route connecting the Coquun (Hunter) Valley to the harbour now known as Sydney harbour. 

  The history of Hunter Valley begins with the European settlement of the Sydney and the New South Wales region of Australia in the late 18th century as a colony of the British Empire. The Hunter River itself was discovered, by accident, in 1797 by British Lieutenant John Shortland. The region soon became a valuable source for timber and coal that fuelled the steamship trade coming out of Sydney..