STARR RANCH OWLS 2011 & 2012

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63608

Great video, Beans...and great pics, PattiO...they're looking soooooooooo cute!!!

kittenface · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:16 am

Just got this article on google alert Owls

Owl webcam viewers want help for scrawny chick

gigi · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:40 am

that is why I don't watch the barn owls. I know that they typically have lots of chicks and that the oldest in the clutch has an advantage of sheer size and age by the time the youngest comes along. Knowing the facts of nature does not make it any easier to watch, so I don't.

Mick · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:18 am

Great photos Patti.

I was reading the chat archive today and emotions were running high. Everyone, including me, has an opinion. It was interesting reading what different people had to say.

PattiO · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:49 am

And #6 did pass away early this morning. I knew it would - it looked terrible. After watching this nest for 2 years I'm pretty sure I can tell when one won't make it. But I have no regrets watching them. I've learned a lot about Barn Owls ... and Pete's comments on the story Kitten posted proves that we really don't need to be that sad about the ones that don't make it. It's that way for a reason ... survival.

Some of the posts on the blog made me really mad. It's really hard to explain to someone who's not used to watching these cams that you can't interfere with every single one. It's just not feasible. They just want everything to be pretty and nice. It doesn't work that way - I've learned that the hard way ... by watching these cams for 5 years now. Even if Pete had rescued that owlet, say ... yesterday, or the day before ... I bet it still would have died.

Mick · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:12 am

Patti, I'm sorry to hear about the death of the little owlet.

I continued to read the chat yesterday and thought of it into the night. I was left feeling sad and frustrated. This owl died a natural death, in a natural habitat. The chat members who spoke the loudest; I hope they are keenly aware of the animal suffering in the artificial unbalanced world.

beans · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:41 am

Well said, Mick.

Had the youngster died because of human interference, then that would have been a greater tragedy. Raptor mothers feed the babies as well as they can, but there is no denying that the stronger are fed first. It truly is survival of the fittest. The priority for the parents is to feed the healthy offspring, for these are the ones who will have the best chance of fledging and surviving in the wild.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:18 pm **Posts:** 63608

Very sad to hear about the youngest one... :sosad

Its interesting to me as to why the barn owl continues to lay this high number of eggs...look at the larger owls..2-3 eggs and they usually all survive. I think the owl moms do the best they can. By the time the latest eggs hatch, the first owlets are so much larger and are starting to feed themselves. The little ones can't do that. I think it takes a super mom owl to realize that her youngest still need special attention and that their food still needs to be "cut up" for them.....Knowing all of this, I've had to stay away from these cams until they get through this period. I learned my lesson with Frieda and Diego (the owls in our logo)...but she was just about as close to a super owl mom as they come. Her youngest didn't always make it, but it did appear that she spent time searching them out and giving them extra attention..even while the larger kids were jumping all over her...

obxbarb · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:29 am

I haven't checked the cam lately for the same reason. I'm sorry to hear about #6, but is was pretty clear it was going to be a tough go for that one. Barn owls are so darn cute, but hard to watch.

PattiO · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:23 pm

These are some pics from last Sunday ... there all out of order but ...just haven't had the time!

Mick · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:59 pm

Wonderful pics PattiO! Thank you. As far as them being in order, if they are from 2011-I say you're doing good!

beans · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:04 am

Video: Young Barn Owl Patiently Waits for Dinner

He was waiting at least half an hour….

Mick · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:37 am

Great video beans.
The way the light was on him (I assume from the almost full moon) he looked like a glowing angel! Until dinner arrived!
Good for him as he was one of the littler ones. Thank you :egg119: