MONASTERY RESIDENT OWL

 

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)

 But recently a BARRED OWL has taken up residence and seems to like humans, as it stays in plain sight. 

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 North America where they are considered invasive. Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they can also acclimate to various gradients of open woodlands.

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.

This is a very vocal owl; best known for its nine-syllable hoot described as, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” or “You cook today, I cook tomorrow”; also commonly barks seven notes rising in volume and ending with an loud, explosive hoot; frequently shrieks, cries, trills, grumbles, squeaks.  Mother Therese often hears it at 6 A.M.  as she prepares the chapel for Lauds.

Though it is considered nocturnal, it is also seen awake in the day as shown in photo at right- where it was often found on the monastery's cattle loading pen.