Owl Boxes Installed in Select Parks
By the City of Santa Barbara
The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department recently installed owl boxes in multiple parks ahead of owl nesting season.
The chosen parks, Mission Historical Park, MacKenzie Park, and La Mesa Park, were selected based on their proximity to open areas for the birds to forage and hunt, and their distance from roads and potential for human disturbance. Each owl box has been mounted to a tree to mimic the birds' natural nesting environment and provide shade during the hottest part of the day.
Barn owls are expected to begin their search for nesting locations in January. Staff will monitor the boxes for activity and hope for young owls in early spring.
Gophers beware! We recently installed owl boxes across some of our parks ahead of owl nesting season. We will be monitoring them for activity in the coming months and are crossing our fingers for some new tiny residents in the spring! pic.twitter.com/IoJ10xJUxn
— SB Parks and Rec (@sbparksandrec) November 28, 2022
9 Comments
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Nov 30, 2022 08:41 AMExcellent idea. Raptors do an excellent job cutting down over-production of rodents.
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Nov 30, 2022 02:34 AMFabulous! Owls and other raptors are the best pest control; organic and free . Please do not use rat poison as it kills the young ones before they leave the nest. I once went to see progress of a Great Horned nest on the El Mirador Estate, only to find all the chicks dead; rat poison had been applied liberally that week.
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Nov 29, 2022 01:08 PMVery cool project!! Love owls:-)
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Nov 29, 2022 12:05 PMThere are now a pair of rare Short-eared Owls in the More Mesa area.
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Nov 29, 2022 09:05 PMI walked out and watched them right before dusk and saw them with a major confrontation with a White-tail Kite and 2 Northern Harriers all harassing the Owls.
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Nov 29, 2022 01:20 PMohhh id love to see them!
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Nov 29, 2022 11:42 AMHorray! This made my day!
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Nov 29, 2022 09:44 AMso cool! SBCC has many great horned owls and barn owls. West Campus ravine has four very large great horned owls. Daughter, dog and I take out the IR scope at night and watch them hunt. It's so fun. If you're still, quiet, respectful, they will stay in the area and hunt and hoot while you're there. Gotta be still and quiet though. East campus near the point and the service road leading to the tennis courts, is full of owls at night as well.
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Nov 29, 2022 09:31 AMLove it!