Great-horned Owl Fun in 2015

[centrarchid]

After post above I went out half a dozen times last night to shine yard and barn with spotlight. On all but one time owl was present. Twice owl was on ground walking between pens in area where smaller birds are housed. Only two small birds out as balance have been moved to more protected locations in barn. Balance of sightings had owl flying from some perch in the yard or even from the top of barn. Owl is clearly getting something otherwise it would not spend so much time there. At one point I could here neighbors cooped flock complaining but they appear locked up tight. Possibly rats are primary target with chickens being targets of opportunity.

 

[aart]

After post above I went out half a dozen times last night to shine yard and barn with spotlight. On all but one time owl was present. Twice owl was on ground walking between pens in area where smaller birds are housed. Only two small birds out as balance have been moved to more protected locations in barn. Balance of sightings had owl flying from some perch in the yard or even from the top of barn. Owl is clearly getting something otherwise it would not spend so much time there. At one point I could here neighbors cooped flock complaining but they appear locked up tight. Possibly rats are primary target with chickens being targets of opportunity.

I was wondering if it might be hunting rodents, that might be attracted to area by chicken feed.

Have you done strings on barn door yet....or was that another thread?

 

[centrarchid]

Rodents of interest are not likely made abundant by feed. Species are Meadow Vole and some sort of native (not Black or Norway) rat. I think rice rat. Abundances also high outside pen areas but pens make for awesome hunting perches and grass shorter makes scurrying voles easier to see.


Netting not up yet but limited application on pens last night resulted in juvenile games staying on their roosts. Netting keeps walking owl a full foot away from pens which appears to be all that is needed to prevent flushing.

 

[centrarchid]

Owl has been named Luna Girl. I can see it from rear parlor window with nothing but pink and blue sky behind it. Horns are up. Chickens raised alarm twice. Baby sitter will be shining spotlight in barn every 30 minutes. Sitter is one of my chicken students in 4H so should be fun for her.

 

[centrarchid]

When we relieved baby sitter she reported seeing no owl even though she did see it at time of our departure. Deer netting seems to be working.

 

[centrarchid]

Pens with deer netting not getting owl approaches even when pens house younger birds owl targets. Netting does not have form a proper barrier for owl to avoid it. I am goin going to setup a single panel behind a row of pens to see if owl approaches. All I have to do is keep owl away from one side of pen, the birds will be induced to roost nearer the owl-free side and owl will not longer be able reach or flush birds from roost. Done correctly then moving pens will not be all that labor intensive.

 

[centrarchid]

Deer netting is still working. I see owl every night and it even walks on barn above me. The owl seems to be looking down onto paths I have worn and were pens have been previously. Those areas have shorter grass making voles very easy to see. Those same area rabbits seem to run about at least during the day. I think a rabbit screamed the other night behind barn, possibly when caught by owl.

 

[centrarchid]

Owl has been busted now. The darn bird has been literally following me. I was wondering why I could see it every evening. When I get home in flies in from south and lands in tree above while I am in motion and in plain site. It is also clearly looking directly at me after landing.

 

[memphis]

Can you tell if this the same owl you released from the netting?

 

[centrarchid]

Not for certain. Owl released I think was a juvenile. I think juveniles evicted but owl I am seeing is not calling so I do not have voice to recognize. I should have tagged the little bugger.