I don't think this Barn Owl has ever seen an egg before. LOL! Every time I've looked in today she's been standing by the egg but not sitting on it. Maybe I just missed her doing it but I dunno......she might need some lessons in incubation. Those awful ants are back again, too.

Spidey entertains Owlady, Jowly flies in, alarmed, stays on porch - Audubon Starr Ranch Barn Owls published by scyllabub

Today is the 4th day since the 1st egg was laid and there is still just 1 egg. I've been reading some of the comments from the chatters at Starr and some think maybe the drought has something to do with there just being 1 egg. Others think there's a lack of prey which I can't really agree with because we've all seen those humongous sized rats they bring in on a regular basis there. Some say the male is not the best provider but I don't know about that either. It seems like the males don't really kick into full gear until the eggs have hatched. He has been bringing in food for her but I don't really know how much.
She is incubating the egg but she also spends a lot of time standing beside it asleep. I've seen the egg behind her just underneath her tail feathers when she has been laying on it, too. LOL!
I guess we'll wait and see what's going on. Just to make it a little more interesting, there is a 3rd owl hanging around there.

Hmmmm

Update from Pete:

Starr Ranch on March 15, 2014 at 6:16 pm said: Link to comment #155052 Log in to Reply

I was at the console/workbench building another cam for some RSHAs that are looking like they’ll use a new nest by our office and I hit the connection to the static cam that made it go down. Thankfully was an easy fix. So static back up and stay tuned for that RSHA cam. If everything goes OK should be up in a few days. They’re just starting to lay eggs.

BTW, this BNOW and one egg (so far) is incredibly unusual. They typically have larger clutches – like 4 would be a really small clutch. Whatever the reason, things are changing. May be related to climate change, may be related to drought here and not a lot to eat (so not enough energy to reproduce). But make no mistake, things are changing. And if it’s because of us (likely) we have a responsibility to pay attention to this and maybe/hopefully try to do something about it. Pete

I'm not at all convinced there is a lack of food here. I've seen so many big, giant rats brought in almost every night. I'm thinking it must be something else wrong to only have 1 egg. I would be interested in scyllabub's opinion on this. Hope she weighs in on her take on this situation.


Published by scyllabub

The female has spent long periods off the egg and seems there is something wrong with it. Chatters report that it looks cracked. Something has been wrong here from the start because of the single egg laid which is very unusual for Barn Owls. Looking back at the video above when she laid her egg and looked so surprised about it I have to wonder if she is very young. Maybe too young. ????

The egg is 25 days old today.

25 days old today 4-4-14.PNG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Good Morning Coyote Style


Published by featherNH

June 26, 2014 Starr Ranch BNOW appearance (unbanded) 9:45 pm pst


Published by featherNH

Looks like a Mr. Barney is in the house tonight.

7-17-14.PNG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) Starr Ranch 7-17-14.PNG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Poor Spidey. Something keeps messing up it's web. LOL This BO eats Mothra, too.



Published by scyllabub

Published on Sep 19, 2014 by scyllabub

Audubon Starr Ranch, Ca.
-http://starrranch.org/blog/barn-owl/
4 cams on one page = Ritz cavity, Tree PTZ, Starr Ranch watering hole "Spa", Starr Ranch Trail:

Barn owl suddenly roused to 'shudder', has an urgent preen - Audubon Starr Ranch

BOO!


Published by scyllabub

Published by scyllabub

For several days now American Kestrels have been visiting the cavity. Last night I was surprised to see the female kestrel inside and settled in to spend the night! The Barn Owls have been visiting the cavity during the night so I watched and wondered what was going to happen if they came and found a kestrel in their house. I've personally never seen a barn owl bring in another bird as prey but wasn't sure about this situation and how it would all come out.
Sure enough, the owl came and found the kestrel inside. Scyllabub caught it on video. Watch what happens.

Published on Oct 22, 2014 by scyllabub
This is the third consecutive day that the kestrels have checked out the cavity - except today, only the female came. We watchers were dreading the arrival of an owl - this time, no aggression, phew.
Audubon Starr Ranch, Ca.


It's almost daylight at the cavity and the little kestrel is waking up. Looks like it had a good night sleep. LOL! We might have to move this thread into the kestrel department. 10-22-14.PNG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)