Superbowl

From Antonius Lo

Eastern Screech Owl, Southern Ontario, Canada

From Adrian Barnard

Short-Eared Owl hunting as the sun goes down Redgrave and Lopham Fen

From Freedom First Wildlife Rehab

Another small, male barred owl arrived today from Brooklyn, CT with an old injury to his wing. This first year owl has been surviving around a water source by eating amphibians and other ground dwelling insects and any other small rodents he came across but as the weather has turned cooler , he has lost significant food sources. He has minimal low flight and is at high risk of predation and starvation. We will be carefully evaluating his potential for independence. Thank you for Sherry Hart from Nutmeg Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation for wading through the muck to rescue this owl! Additional thanks to Nicole Bennett for transporting the owl to us today! It truly takes a team to care for CT wildlife

From Kirsten Spencer

Photographing this guy was a hoot!

From Cynthia Rand

Two of my favorite things came together in one scene last night, a Screech Owl in the fall foliage!

From Tin Chan

Pair of Short Eared Owls in flight.

From John Crooks

Barn Owl returning with a meal.

Link to Youtube Trailer

Coming 15 Nov, a new animated short will be released staring and owl character based on the real life owl found in the 2020 Rockafeller Center tree that was rescued and released back into the wild.

About the real life Rocky (from People):

Rockefeller "Rocky" the Saw-whet owl was released near Saugerties, New York, after receiving a clean bill of health from his rescuers, avian veterinarians, and owl researchers.

The rehab center, located in Saugerties, New York, started caring for the bird on Nov. 16, after it was driven to the rescue by the wife of a man who helped transport Rockefeller Center's famous tree this year. The man found the owl tucked in the branches of the Norway spruce, which was cut down in Oneonta, New York, while setting up the towering tree in New York City.

"What I suspect was that it was in the tree when they cut it down and it probably got trapped when they wrapped the tree in some of the branches. It was there for I think what was a three-day journey to New York City and wasn’t found until they released the branches," Ellen Kalish, the director and founder of the wildlife center, told NBC New York about how she thinks Rockefeller – or Rocky for short – ended up in his festive predicament.

Rockefeller was released near the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center by Kalish. After sitting on the rescuer's outstretched hand for a few moments, the little bird flew off on his own, quickly finding a new tree to perch in.

About the upcoming short:

It is written by Alfonso Cuarón, who has directed such things as Prisoner of Azkaban, Gravity, Roma, and Children of Men.

Plot summary from imdb says:

Moon, a curious young owl, unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. In his attempts to escape the bustling city, Moon befriends a lost young girl named Luna, and together, they must find a way to reunite with their parents.

Last week's news about new protections for California's Burrow Owls was not totally positive news for everyone.

Sometimes there is conflict between doing one good thing (protecting plants/animals) and doing another (expanding renewable energy projects).

This opinion article discusses some of the overlap in area that is good for the owls that is also prime for handling California's energy goals.

From Nautura Hoy:

If you don’t love burrowing owls, you’ve probably never seen a burrowing owl.

They’re 7 to 10 inches tall, with bright yellow eyes and long, skinny legs. The western variety doesn’t even dig its own underground burrows. It depends on other critters, such as ground squirrels and desert tortoises.

Building solar projects in spots where burrowing owls are struggling to survive would be a terrible idea, right?

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: If only the world were so simple.

As my L.A. Times colleague Lila Seidman reports, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously last week to make the bird a candidate for protection under the state’s Endangered Species Act. In practice, that means burrowing owls will be protected under the law for the next 12 to 18 months, while state wildlife officials study whether the adorable bird deserves permanent status as a “threatened” or “endangered” species.

Two decades ago, there were as many as 10,500 breeding pairs of burrowing owls in the Golden State, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Now there are just 6,500 pairs, the department estimates.

Suburban sprawl was the biggest culprit, conservation groups say, with residential and commercial development tearing up owl habitat across the state and giving the funky little birds precious little space to nest and breed.

But other industries contributed to habitat fragmentation and destruction too — including renewable energy.

Not many wind farms are being built in California these days, at least on the shore; the windiest spots have long been taken. But lots of massive solar farms are being planned and built to replace planet-wrecking fossil fuels.

Conservation activists want state officials to impose new requirements on energy companies looking to build in burrowing owl habitat — requiring them to pay for the permanent protection of breeding grounds, for instance. Activists also hope state officials will block construction of solar projects in the best spots for burrowing owls.

“We can have abundant burrowing owls and abundant solar development,” said Jeff Miller, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “I don’t think the [protections] will slow solar development.”

I hope he’s right. But I’m a little anxious.

It’s not just burrowing owl advocates who are concerned about the the consequences of solar sprawl. It’s desert tortoise advocates and Joshua tree advocates. It’s rural residents who don’t want solar in the backyards, and farmers who don’t want solar projects taking away cropland — even when they don’t have enough water for all their crops.

If only we could put all the solar panels we need to replace fossil fuels on rooftops, warehouses and parking lots, this problem would be easy to solve. Alas, even optimistic researchers say we wouldn’t come anywhere close.

There are also valuable opportunities to build solar in “low-harm” spots — abandoned farmlands, former mines, contaminated Superfund sites, oil and gas fields, landfills, even strips of land along highways. A report released this month by the Roosevelt Institute and the Climate and Community Institute estimated that the United States has nearly 226 million acres of such land — an order of magnitude more land than we’ll ever need for solar.

Again, if only the world were so simple.

Conservationists have been touting low-conflict solar sites for a long time; there have been optimistic reports like this one before. Yet so far, there have been only a handful of projects built in truly low-conflict spots, such as a set of solar panels over a canal that were switched on this month by Arizona’s Gila River Indian Community.

There are lots of reasons for the dearth of progress. In some cases, the low-harm spots aren’t near electric lines, which are needed to send power to customers; in others, developers aren’t willing to take on the financial liability of building on a toxic Superfund site. Some private landowners aren’t willing to sell — not currently a problem on federal lands, where the Biden administration has made renewable energy development a top priority.

“If you have a site that’s relatively flat, and it’s got low species conflict, and you don’t have developers flocking to it, then you have a problem with that area,” said Shannon Eddy, executive director of the Large-scale Solar Assn.

So I like the idea of more solar on low-harm lands. I hope it happens. But scientists say we have six years to slash climate pollution more than 40%. So for now, I plan to keep penning columns like this one, supporting flawed but well-meaning efforts by the Biden administration and others to balance renewable energy and conservation.

And as for burrowing owls?

The Large-scale Solar Assn. supports endangered species protections for the tiny bird. Eddy told me her member companies spent much of this year preparing for last week’s vote, identifying 15 project sites in the Central Valley and Imperial Valley with signs of owl habitation and working with biologists to craft a conservation strategy.

Still, developers have some concerns about how the process will play out. There will now be new permits to apply for, new financial obstacles to clear. Depending on what state wildlife officials do next, solar companies could find themselves facing new delays and costs that make it even harder for California to meet its climate goals.

“This is a curveball,” Eddy said.

From Faruk Kizil

A pair of Tawny Owls. I missed the second one on my first glance.

From Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

In this week's Fix'em Friday, we focus on the impact of barbed wire on raptors. Birds of prey face significant risks when colliding with barbed wire fences while hunting or flying. These birds can become entangled in the wire, resulting in severe injuries or even death. The more they struggle to free themselves, the more their injuries can worsen. Over the past couple of months, we have received many birds that were caught in barbed wire, and unfortunately, many of the injuries were devastating.

One notable case involved this great horned owl that became entangled in barbed wire, sustaining serious wounds to its right wing. Fortunately, there was no major damage to its muscles, tendons, or bones. After undergoing wound debridement surgeries and weeks of intensive care, this owl is now flying again.

Photo credit Jacob Drapkin

From South Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke

How handsome is this Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)?

This is Patient EASO #2024-1711, aka the "Homecoming EASO!"

While we don't actually name our patients out of respect for their wildness, some unique cases get nicknames related to an interesting origin story, personality trait, or condition they're dealing with. This is especially true with common-intaken species, So it helps to have a quick and easy identifier for staff to go by when discussing patients.

A few examples we've had this year have been "Crop Hawk" "Cassini, "Weird Goose" "Mama Possum, "Big Chonker Snake, "Teeny Turt, "Big Hoss BOXTU," "Balloon Robin," among many others.

Why is this guy the Homecoming EASO? Well, he was found on Homecoming night, of course!

This little Screech Owl was found grounded in the middle of the road by a group of high school students who were celebrating their Homecoming dance! They were still dressed up in their dance attire when they spotted the owl and pulled over. One of the students hopped out while still in her glittering homecoming dress and heels, contained the owl, and brought him home for safekeeping until they could bring it to us the next morning!

Luckily for this little raptor, he sustained only some eye abrasions and a little head trauma, likely from being struck by a vehicle right before being found. He's recovering well, and is now conditioning for release!

We're proud of the students who stopped to help this beautiful bird, and we're hoping that the Homecoming EASO's story continues to go well!

Photo by Joel Garo

Great Gray Owl with Vole

Look at those fuzzy legs! 🥰

From Heather Farrell

Such a gorgeous girl.

I snuck up from behind this time and ducked behind the fence but she hears all. She did let me take a few shots before heading out after her dinner.

From the National Aviary

The National Aviary is dedicated to avian conservation. Our efforts in safeguarding the majestic Eurasian Eagle -Owl population are a testament to that commitment. Facing severe declines throughout Europe in the 1900s, these incredible birds still experience challenges today, such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and infrastructure collisions.

Through our work with The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Eurasian Eagle-Owl Species Survival Plan® (SSP), we've made a significant positive impact on growing their population in human care. Thanks to our amazing owl parents, X (mom) and Dumbledore (dad), we've welcomed 12 chicks into the SSP program, including our newest Animal Ambassador, Vera!

By maintaining a genetically diverse population for at- risk species and studying their behaviors, we're taking proactive steps to ensure their future survival and alleviate the environmental and human-led pressures faced by declining populations.

Learn more about the AZA SSP program here.

Learn more about the Eagle Owl SSP here.

These 2 little ones hatched in April this year. I missed getting to see them by a week, but I did see both parents!

From Howard Wu

I couldn't believe my luck -- the first owl l've photographed in the Pacific Northwest and it's a new one for me: Northern Pygmy-owl!

It landed in a tree right in front of me. would not have found it had I not seen it landing - they are very small, as their name suggests, and pretty well camouflaged in the moss-draped trees.

It may have taken me years trying to find one, but this one just popped up out of nowhere, totally unexpected!

Snohomish County, WA

From Bryce Gaudian

I discovered there are A LOT of Great Horned Owls in the Salton Sea area of the Mohave Desert of southern California! I was able to spot and photograph 10 different Great Horned Owls in one day.

Interesting account on the top one in an abandoned barn in rural Westmorland, CA. So my friend was driving and was on the lookout for Burrowing Owls which were literally EVERYWHERE. We were driving by an abandoned barn about 100 feet off the road and said out loud, "Wouldn't it be something if there was an owl in there!"

As we are driving by it must be my brain being in owl facial recognition mode cuz through a broken out window, from the road, while we are driving by, think I see an owl up on one of the rafters.

We pull over and get out and cross a deep drainage ditch and approach the barn and low and behold, there are two Great Horned Owls inside.

From Caitlin Skaggs

Hope you enjoy this Sweet face as much as I did! >Eastern Screech Owl Kentucky - 10/24

From Will Huff

A burrowing owl in Florida looking directly at my camera. I had to crawl on my belly to get the purple/pink flowers behind the owl to give a cool background.

From Cascades Raptor Center

Happy release to these two sister barn owls! They both jumped from their nest high up in a silo, one slightly after the other. With time in our hospital, and graduation from live prey training; they are both well flighted and ready for release! Both were reunited back home, and flew straight into their barn.

Our hospital released an additional 4 barn owls this past week, all flying beautifully!

From Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

We received an urgent call about a magnificent brown owl stranded in the middle of a field during harvest. Despite the farmer's best efforts, they couldn't stop the big tractor, but they managed to carefully place the distressed owl in a blueberry box. Our dedicated volunteer easily located the box in the vast field and swiftly brought the owl to our center, where we discovered a severe broken wing. Thanks to the incredible support from Companion Animal Hospital, Dr. Parsons promptly conducted X-rays, revealing the severity of the injury. Although the road ahead is tough, we are determined to give this beautiful owl a fighting chance through an upcoming surgery with the skilled hands of Dr. Libby and Dr. Parsons on Tuesday. Your hope and prayers mean the world to us as we strive to save this precious endangered owl.

The short-eared owl population in Pennsylvania is on a rapid decline. Estimating their numbers is challenging, but it's believed that their population is dwindling by more than 10% each year. These captivating creatures are endangered in Pennsylvania due to the alarming loss of their natural habitat. Designated as endangered in 1985, the short-eared owl remains on the state's endangered species list due to its limited distribution and dwindling breeding population.

In Pennsylvania, the encroachment of development and modern agricultural practices has drastically diminished the open spaces vital for the survival of short-eared owls. These elusive owls are often spotted during winter in farnmlands and wetlands, captivating observers with their graceful hunting at dawn, dusk, and midday in open fields and strip mines.

From Gabriella Wong

From Owl Moon Raptor Center

A particularly rewarding part of volunteering at Owl Moon is sharing stories of our experiences with family and friends. Recently, a volunteer's family member was brought into the action directly! On March 12, Julia's dad was on his way to work when he noticed an adult female barred owl on the side of the road. She was likely struck by a car and suffering from resultant head and eye trauma. Recognizing that the barred owl needed help, Julia's father acted quickly by containing the bird gently and bringing her to safety at the Center. The barred owl was easy to capture-a sure sign of serious injuries.

Thanks to the six months of dedicated care she received at Owl Moon, this brave owl nicknamed Willow made a remarkable recovery. A crucial part of Willow's recovery included a veterinary ophthalmologist checking out her eyes to clear her for release. And just a few Fridays ago, we did indeed return her to the wild! Inspiring our families and friends to take action for injured birds of prey is a great way to affect change in our communities. Each story we share, especially impactful through word of mouth, helps spread awareness and encourages others to get involved.

From Middle TN Raptor Center

You may remember this beauty who had her wing cut by a chainsaw. Well, she got her outdoor space today! We are naming her Notch (type of chainsaw cut) and she is now on the hard road to build flight strength for her eventual Freedom Day.

Original post

From Tommy Eliasson

Great Grey stuck in heavy rain.