Charlotte, NC is home to a booming Owl population.
The Barred owl (a.k.a. The Hoot Owl) has been making its home here in the Queen City for years, despite steady growth, development, urban sprawl and deforestation.
There is an interesting article here.
Ecologists can't figure it out. Usually in growing, booming cities the Owl population decreases. Not here. Charlotte has an abundance of owls.
We bought a house in an old neighborhood with lots of trees.
One of the older neighborhoods with big yards and lots of trees. Tall trees, small trees, Pines, Oaks, Maples Elms etc.
We have all sorts of birds, bats, squirrles, rabbits, insects...and of course the owls.
Right outside the master bedroom window we have 2 very tall, old trees.
Every night, without fail the Owls let loose. I know we have at least 2.
When I first heard it, I thought it was a goat, eating a cat, stomping on a chihuahua. It was the wierdest thing I had ever heard. I told my mom and dad about it and they said "Oh we have those too, they are owls!".
I thought owls were the soft little who-who-who, like you hear on TV and in the movies.
WRONG! Nowhere near that. (some are, just not MY owls)
These Barred Owls (hoot owls) screech. It is the wierdest thing. You can hear it here. Click on typical call, or variation call. Now it sounds pretty close, just imagine shorter yippier hoots, with a bit of a bleat added to it.
I guess I can get used to it, I kind of tuned them out, sort of like the train that passes through town and blows its horn at 3am.(But thats another blog...)
These owls may be nocturnal, but they definately are NOT shy. they roost wherever they feel like it, many times out in the open for the world to see. At night they will just come down and sit on out driveway, they will fly to the end of the streets and roost on the signposts. They have no fear and dont care.
So despite the fact they scared the crap out of me when I first moved in they can stay. I havent had to set out mouse traps for 4 years! Thanks to my little friends who live outside my window.
5 comments:
We don't have many here, but we did see one horned owl on the ground in the back yard a few months ago. He was HUGE. Sitting down he was at least 18"-20" tall. We walked out back, trying to get as close as we could, but he flew off. Haven't seen him since.
I'm glad we don't have your screechers!
Wow, we have some animal outside that makes a loud noise. We've never seen it and have never heard an animal like it. Someone asked me today if I thought it was an owl. Never considered that possibility. NOw I'm going to look for owls ;O)
I love Barred owls! My son can call the one we have here right to him...it's awesome..
Thanks for sharing :)
you are very lucky, although maybe not if they keep you awake!
: )
I had no idea they were so noisy. That's a great photo, & he looks so sweet & innnocent. & QUIET ;)
Looks can be so deceiving...
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