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

Friday, May 25, 2012

Barn Owl Beauty


Within their home range Barn Owls generally have one nest site, up to three regular roost sites, and up to five sites that they only visit occasionally - perhaps to shelter from a shower of rain. However, there is a good deal of variation. Some pairs roost together at the nest site all year round whereas others only use the nest site whilst nesting, use different winter roost sites, and spend very little time together. When it comes to mating activity, nest cameras have revealed huge variation between individuals - some are very active and attentive to their mates whereas others are quite lethargic - just like people! While breeding, adult Barn Owls may be active (hunting, mating, feeding young) all night (about six hours in midsummer) but during the rest of the year they generally roost at least 22 out of every 24 hours.