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| Recent cooper's hawk surveying open field in Byron area |
CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE AUGUST 2024
If you build it….
It took six years
or more. They used to be here high in some trees partially removed years ago. I
had hope they might return if I installed a barn owl box. Close to both the
edge of residential neighborhood and homes with large lots and many acres of
open fields. I always thought it would one day happen. Received the box from
‘Raptors Are the Solution’ friend and spokesperson Lisa. I have said much in
the past about R.A.T.S., Lisa, Allen and their great work and effort to
eradicate dangerous rat poisons. They are trying to put an end to the worst
anti-coagulants, and have had success, though their work continues…
Raptors are the Solution
Needless to say,
I am so excited! As I write this, it is Day 19 of the owls here every night.
Some nights the owls are very loud all night. Other nights I barely hear them
at all. Yet every night they arrive and put on an interesting meet and greet
with one another. Mating, flying in circles, and screaming mostly. Love on the
wings. I explained that to neighbors, and they are fine with it. Our friend and
neighbor, Cheryl said “I was wondering what was going on back there”. My wife
Jan and I wait each night to view them for about five minutes, then get close
up to the windows. I am NOT a credible night shooter, so the photos don’t look
as defined as usual, but I think they are worth sharing. I never go outside,
just open the sliding glass door briefly from about forty yards away from the
owl box. They hear me, they stare, but they tolerate it quite well. We also
have a back yard pond that has been operating with a waterfall and clean water
for over twenty years. They land at the top of the waterfall and drink water. I
only know because signs of their talons on a wood perch.
I am also showing many Swainson hawk pictures.
This is roughly about the time of year for the fledged youngsters to get out
and fly with the parents. They are beautiful birds, fairly easy to distinguish
the parents from the kids. Swain populations in eastern Contra Costa County
seem to be holding very well. This time of the year near the Delta they are as
common (perhaps more) than red tail hawks. I have always considered the lighter
morph swains as the traditional Swainson hawk. This may have been due to the
number of reference photos I have seen over the years. Over the last ten years
or so I can say the dark morphs of varied dark coloration are the most common,
out here anyway. For more information, please check the individual photo text
below.
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| Recent barn owl checking the facility in Oakley |
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| Recent young swainson hawk near mom (Not pictured) Marsh Creek Rd. CC County |
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| *Older river otter and largemouth bass photo thrown in taken in Taylor Slough CA Delta system taken 12-31-15 |
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| Recent adult swainson hawk lighter morph CA Delta CC County |
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| Recent barn owl in the back Oakley |
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| Recent young swainson in flight Eastern CC County, flying with parents and friends |
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| Recent white tailed kite in Oakley CA |
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| Recent adult dark morph swainson hawk with pinned ground squirrel |
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| Recent barn owl in back at box Oakley |
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| *Older Racoon photo taken on Bear Creek Rd in West CC County near Briones Park 06-08-13 |
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| Recent barn owl in the back, many nights the owls will perch in older almond trees waiting for its mate |
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