So today we had friends over to swim and there they were FIVE owls roosting in the yopon tree right next to the pool....it is hard to tell by the pic but they are at least 8 to 10 inches tall and still have some baby fuzzy feathers..... originally I thought they were screech owls but based on their size they may be Great Horned Owls!!!
Does anyone know how to make your backyard attractive to owls? I have found all kinds of info on the web but not much that about attracting them !
crazy
we have had mixed opions if they are screech or great horned.... I sort of think they are too big to be screech... I am afraid that as they get bigger they will get more leary of humans and hide better!
I have about 20 pics of them ... I need to post them on photobucket of flicker or somethign.... just need to figure out how! or find the time to figure it out
more pictures would be such a treat
and the ones you have posted are really amazing! It is really a very special thing that they choose to live so close to your family. You say you're afraid they will leave.....but it is actually odd they nested so close to begin with because what I understand owls are not usually willing to nest so close to people. But if you passed their scrutiny for a nesting locale, I'd say your home is prime owl real estate! AHHH...did I mention my envy?
how cool!
And you're getting really great pictures of them! As far as attracting them, from what I understand, Great Horned Owls have few if any predators. I've read they can grab rodents 2-3x their own body weight and if they have 'good eats' they will stay. I think it is a really good sign your property and those around you are being reasonable with practices...keeping trees...not using harmful chemicals ect. We used to live in SW FL on acreage and when we first moved in the property was void of life...no frogs, snakes, field mice, squirells, rabbits, racoons, oppossums...nothing. It was very eerie. we made an effort and it didn't take long for those critters to come back and then came the 'predators' including the birds of prey....owls, eagles, hawks. So to 'attrack' owls, I'd say keep on doing what your doing and make sure to take care of their food supply too... the entire food chain below them:) We had owls, hawks and even an eagle 'hunting' on our property at specific times of the day but NEVER, EVER had them nesting with us. So, I say you know just what to do! So jealous!
can't wait
i can't wait for my client to get back in town. they went to greece and she wants to see them when she comes back. she's such a big birder!! she saw some really cool bird at cooper the other day and told me exactly what it was and it's some rare thing.
she's excited for you and can tell you what to do!
laura
Laura, Lucy, and B
OMG that has to be the
OMG that has to be the coolest thing ever! I think owls are amazing! I love to watch them at the zoo. I am SOOOO jealous.
way cool
How exciting!!! I bet the boys just thought it was crazy and they are now the coolest kids on the block!!!
That is so cool!
It looks like they have all eyes on you! Also, I don't think you need to find out what attracts owls to your back yard.....they are already there! LOL
Adopt a Great Dane! 'Cause everything else is just a dog.