Creatures Around the Lake March 2022





Many of us have seen and heard the Barred owls in the Haller Lake neighborhood. During the spring of 2021, a pair nested near the lake and produced a pair of owlets.   They were very entertaining as they grew- sometimes seen side by side on a branch, preening themselves or each other.


Barred owls especially like small rodents as their primary food.  They will also wade into water for fish, or crayfish.  In places where there are ample rosy colored crayfish, the owl's white under feathers will actually turn pink, similar to the flamingo.  Several neighbors here have found regurgitated owl pellets on the ground.  Most of the pellets I've examined had intact rat jaw bones, complete with teeth!  Barred owls have also been known to eat snakes, snails, slugs and even road kill- so if poison is used to kill rats and mice, it might also kill these lovely birds.


Breeding season is once a year between December and March.  The preferred nesting site is a hollowed area in a tree at least 20 feet above ground.  They will accept a nesting box (the Audubon society says to place multiple nesting boxes 1/2 mile apart).  Less often they will take over a larger birds nest, or even a squirrels drey.  Egg laying begins in March.  That's now!


These owls hunt mostly at night, and usually roost quietly in trees during the day.  I've often seen one or two in a tree over the garage, or their beautiful feathers on the ground.  Look up into the trees when you think of it.  A curious owl may just look back at you.


Written by Susan Derge
Photos by Carolyn Crockett

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