Re: [SBB] Burrowing Owls at Arzino Ranch?

[Les Chibana <[[email protected]]>]

Peggy,

Arzino Ranch and the often soggy field just south of Los Esteros Blvd. 
has been a good site for Burrowing Owls. The birds used to occupy most 
of the fields in the surrounding area before these were disked and 
prepped for construction or built upon. I don't know if there are any 
designs for development for the field on the south of Los Esteros by 
the EEC entrance.

What you describe sounds good for young Burrowing Owls. You were seeing 
the fuzzy gray natal down on the younger birds. You're likely to see a 
group of nestlings in different stages of plumage development, as this 
species seems to have asynchronous hatching. I have photographed three 
nestlings at a burrow in which all appeared different from each other, 
displaying an even gradient of development from natal down to older 
juvenal plumage.

Les
---
Les Chibana
BirdNUTZ(tm) - Ornigasmic Birding
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web <http://www.birdnutz.com>
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snailmail: SR2 Box 335, La Honda CA 94020

On Aug 11, 2005, at 6:30 PM, Peggy Don wrote:

> SBBers,
>
> Yesterday, 08/11/05, as I drove along Disk Drive by the field next to 
> the Jubilee Church I noticed two small owls huddled together.  I 
> stopped to take a look.  I assumed that they were Burrowing Owls but I 
> wasn't sure because their heads were light gray with a hint of brown 
> on the crown and their bodies, dark brown.  The feathers looked loose 
> and fluffy.  When I consulted a field guide, they flew about 20 yards. 
>  Then I was able to see only the head of one.  I have tried to find a 
> picture of a very young Burrowing Owl on the web but haven't been too 
> successful.  These owls look nothing like the Burrowing Owls at 
> Shoreline.  Has anyone seen very young Burrowing Owls?  This field and 
> the one across the street have been mowed.  I hope that they aren't 
> mowed again while these owls are in residence.  Is this field part of 
> Arzino Ranch?
>
> Peggy Don

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