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Re: Long-eared owls

From:

"George M. Jett"

Reply-To:

George M. Jett

Date:

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:53:53 -0400

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
>