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.
