Folks
From the Yellowbook (Field List of the Birds of Maryland by Iliff, Ringler &
Stasz), egg dates for Long-eared Owl is April 3 to May 1. These birds could
likely be looking for a place to nest. Please respect the birds right to
continue to reproduce. Give them the space.
George
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald & Laura Tarbell" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 4:20 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Long-eared owls
>I am going to admit some ignorance as to the owls we have been viewing. I
> thought they were probably migrating thru and were not likely to stay
> here.
> That's because I never bothered to consult my only Owl book. Although it
> is
> dated, -Alcorn, 1986 - it says and I quote, "It is not highly migratory
> and
> the winter range is approximately that of the breeding range."
> I have been advised by more knowledgeable folks than me that we are
> probably disturbing a pair that want to breed. The fact that they keep
> moving only underscores the likelihood that we are disturbing them.
> With this in mind, I recommend that the tours stop. I know another tick
> on a list is exciting, but I for one have decided to discontinue visiting
> Morgan Run for a while. I hope others act responsibly and do the same. It
> practically took somebody hitting me over the head with it.
> For reference I stole the page out of Birder's Handbook on them, so
> here
> are some more interesting facts:
>
> BREEDING: Conifer and mixed conifer-deciduous forest, especially near
> water;
> occasionally deciduous forest, also parks, orchards, farm woodland. 1
> brood. Mating system is monogamous
> DISPLAYS: Courtship: male flies in erratic zigzag with deep, slow
> wingbeats,
> occasionally gliding and clapping wings together beneath body. Courtship
> feeding.
> NEST: Usually in abandoned nests (especially crow, also squirrel, hawk,
> magpie, heron, raven). Perennial. Rarely scrape on ground, of small
> sticks, inner bark strips, pine needles. Female selects site.
> EGGS: White. 1.6" (40 mm).
> CHICK DEVELOPMENT: Female incubates. Incubation takes 26-28 days.
> Development is semialtricial (immobile, downy, eyes closed, fed). Young
> are
> able to fly after 23-26 days. Both sexes tend young.
> DIET: Overwhelmingly rodents, rarely amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects.
> Hunts over open areas, strictly nocturnal. Ejects pellets.
>
> CONSERVATION: Winters s to c Mexico.
> NOTES: Occasionally nests in loose colonies; prey density may determine
> breeding density. Pair bond long-term where sedentary on year-round
> territories. Male feeds incubating female. Young hatch asynchronously;
> female broods. Young fly at about 34 days; parents feed them for 56-63
> days. Perform distraction display in groups when colonial. Family unit
> retained perhaps until winter. Roosts, often communally, in dense cover,
> less often in caves, rock crevices.
>
>
> Copyright © 1988 by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye.
>
> Jerry Tarbell
> Carroll County
> |