We are lucky to have the habitat to encourage and support several species of owls, but it is not often that we see them. For years my 4-H group and I would search tree cavities and look for the scat, to no avail. In 2019 a Great horned owl photo was taken by our Dutch intern Marijke, though I never saw it. (See blog 12/16/2021)
First it was at the home of our intern Gigi, some three miles away. Here is a photo taken by her husband Jim as it looked into their kitchen window. After some weeks it disappeared, only to show up on monastery land. It is still around some months later, so we must have plenty of food for it.
The barred owl (Strix varia), also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl, is a North American large species of owl.
Barred owls are largely native to eastern North America, but have expanded their range to the west coast of
Their diet is quite varied: mostly small mammals like mice, rats, chipmunks, moles, bats, rabbits, and opossums, as well as birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates (like snails, beetles, and scorpions).
Barred owls are brown to gray overall, with dark striping on the underside. Barred owls have typical nesting habits for a true owl, tending to raise a relatively small brood often in a tree hallow or snag (but sometimes also in other nesting sites) in forested areas.
As a result of the barred owl's westward expansion, the species has begun to encroach on the range of the related and threatened spotted owl (Strix occidentalis). Evidence shows the assorted threats posed by the invading barred species are only increasing. In response, biologists have recommended culling operations to mitigate the negative effect of the barred on the spotted owl species.
