Friday, September 30, 2011

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Who's Been Nesting In The Dead Tree?

Photo: Diane Edwardson, September 28, 2011.  A branch fell off a dead tree some time ago and some new residents moved in.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)  

Owls are known to nest in dead trees.  In this neighborhood, we've had a lot of Great Horned Owl sightings.  One Corralitas neighbor described 3 distinctly different species of owls he's seen in the neighborhood to me.  Including Great Horned Owl, a smaller horned owl (as of yet to be determined species) and Barn Owl.  I've seen and heard them too.

A few nights ago, for the first time, I heard a Barn Owl screeching from a top a tree in my backyard, just after midnight.  Listen to a Barn Owl on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website.  It's a sound I'll never forget.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, September 28, 2011.  The tree (of an undetermined species) died a few years back.  The nest looks as though it was used this year.  (Click on photo to enlarge.) 

The dead tree is on the lower plateau (near Allesandro & Sunflower) of the controversial 16-lot subdivision.  It is on the section of the property where all of the trees will be razed for grading and construction.