[obol] Re: Owl Conservation
- From: David Irons <llsdirons@xxxxxxx>
- To: "whoffman@xxxxxxxx" <whoffman@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:05:06 -0800
As Wayne alludes to, moisture and seasonal flooding along with the lack of
larger burrowing animals are likely the limiting factors that explain the
absence of breeding Burrowing Owls in the Willamette Valley. Even if there were
available burrows, I suspect that the protracted spring/early summer wet season
would result in standing water or excessive moisture in suitable burrows.
Unless the birds adapted to initiate nesting later in the season, I can't
imagine them having success. I don't have any resources at hand, but I think
Burrowing Owls formerly nested in the drier sections of the Rogue Valley around
Medford. Otherwise, I don't know of any other west side breeding attempts. The
report that Joel shared (fide Bob Altman) is certainly interesting.
Dave Irons
Portland, OR
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 30, 2013, at 10:27 AM, "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Thank you Clay, for adding something constructive to this conversation. I am
> sure there are others who have more knowledge than I do of Burrowing Owl
> history, but here's my take.
>
> As far as I know, Burrowing Owls are not known to nest in the Willamette
> Valley. A small number have been found wintering in the valley. It is my
> understanding that one or more banded ones have been seen that had come from
> efforts to rebuild / re-establish a breeding population in interior British
> Columbia.
>
> Most of the known occurrences have been associated with small culverts (e.g.
> where a driveway crosses a roadside ditch, or where an agricultural drain
> tile emerges into a roadside ditch. Most of the occurrences I am aware of
> have been along public roads, but that may reflect observer distribution as
> much as owl distribution.
>
> These culvert roost sites tend to become temporarily unsuitable during winter
> storms when the culverts are carrying rainwater.
>
> From time to time Burrowing Owls have also been found wintering on the Oregon
> Coast. Roost sites over here have included the rocks of jetties. Years ago
> I found one in a pile of boulders that were placed temporarily for addition
> to the Yaquina Bay South Jetty the next summer.
>
> I have no data on who limiting suitable roost sites are to these owls in the
> Willamette Valley, but suspect that if there were more, and drier sites, they
> might do better. If people wanted to place sections of culvert in places
> where they never got flooded, owls might choose to use them. These could be
> near roads for easy viewing, or distant, to protect the owls from all those
> nasty lenses.
>
> I do not know whether they should be dead-end or open at both ends. Probably
> someone else has insight into that, and optimal sizes, etc. Sites generally
> should be in open country, fairly distant from woodlots.
>
> Wayne
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 30, 2013 at 8:50 AM, clay crofton <ruffledgrouch@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Could an OBOL member with knowledge of Burrowing Owls please comment on the
> history of Burrowing Owls in the Willamette Valley and whether a burrow
> construction project would help them?
>
> --
>
> Happy birding
> CLAY
> Closed yahoo account and encourage you to not use yahoo. Please note my new
> email address
>
>
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