[obol] Barn owls

[Cathy Nowak]

With apologies for cross postings...

 

I have commented on these lists previously about the almost total
absence of short-eared owls on the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (Union
County) in 2006.  Although we have seen a few this year, the numbers are
no where near those we observed in 2005.  Further, I, along with others,
have also noted low numbers of raptors on the ECBC raptor routes in the
area.  Yesterday, Dave Larson and I checked several barn owl boxes for
eggs or young and found NONE.

 

Barn owls are usually very common on Ladd Marsh.  In fact, last year I
found barn owls nesting in wood duck boxes every 100 feet along a row of
willows for a total of 4 occupied nests in that location.  We also have
several other locations where barn owls nest very close together and
they frequently use wood duck boxes.  So far this year we have looked in
nest boxes at 7 locations that are "always" occupied and found no signs
of nesting activity. WOW!  

 

I find this overall drop in raptor (both nocturnal and diurnal) numbers
very interesting.  I suspect a crash in prey populations but it is hard
to say with any certainty.

 

M. Cathy Nowak

Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Biologist

59116 Pierce Road

La Grande, OR 97850

541-963-4954

 

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