[SBB] [Fwd: Barn Owls]

Mark Paxton

It was mid-June, and one day after dinner I decided to take a walk out on Whisky Flat towards the boundary of Pacheco State Park. After the sun had set I headed back, walking along a little-used dirt road in an open, grassy field dotted with widely spaced Valley Oaks. As I was walking I noticed an owl flying about one hundred feet away. It soon changed direction and started flying towards me, though well overhead. As it approached I could see it was a Barn Owl. I stopped walking to observe it, and as it approached me it began flying in a tight circle about 15 feet or so over my head. It must have circled five times before emitting a startlingly loud shriek. It then flew off momentarily, only to return, this time flying low at what seemed like eye level. as it approached I remember wondering how close the critter would come to me before veering off. It looked for all the world as if its sights were set on me, but I refused to believe the bird would actually atta ck. Sure enough, as the bird got closer it banked upward, resumed circling overhead, and shrieked repeatedly. Soon, a second Barn Owl, which I took to be its mate, appeared. Both owls were then circling overhead, with one of them repeating the aggressive pattern of flying off a short distance and returning at or near eye level. Clearly, they were alarmed at my presence, but I couldn't reason why. The nearest tree was about 50 yards distant and not in the direction I was traveling, so I didn't think I was disturbing a nest. Soon, a third owl appeared, and then a fourth, all circling above me, with repeated attempts by at least one of the birds to chase me off by flying at me and pulling away at the last minute. It was a surreal experience, and although I do not like to aggravate critters, I was transfixed by curiosity so I stayed put, wondering how this encounter would end. After 15 minutes or so, the birds gave up and flew away, but they continued shrieking. As I walked back home I was very intrigued by the behavior of these four owls. I have been out at dusk many, many times before, and have seen Barn Owls on numerous occasions, but I never experienced anything remotely resembling this encounter. Any thoughts?

Joseph Belli