Trapping Sunday

Sunday, we made some more bow nets, and then decided to go out trapping around 2:30 p.m. We were out until 9:00 p.m. We ended up trapping 6 owls, 2 with geolocators. Slower day than the others, but it was still a successful weekend. So, we ended up trapping I think 31 owls for the whole weekend, 9 of which had geolocators on them. I always think, man I bet those owls are happy to get those things taken off of them. Even though, they were designed to not bother or weigh down the owl at all. One owl managed to get part of his undone, so when we caught him it was hanging from his front as opposed to the back where it is supposed to be. We also did a good amount of burrow maintenance at some of the burrows that aren't currently being used. DJ says that this year won't be a good food year, which means he predicts that not as many young will hatch. These owls take their chances. That's why we see a lot that lay 8, 9, and 10 eggs. He says out of the 10 eggs they lay, there might be 4 that make it. Wow. That's not a great percentage, but in a bad food year, what do you expect?

At one of the burrows yesterday, we found one that had 9 eggs in it, one of them was pipped out. What that means is we could see the egg tooth of the beak and the owl bad broken through the shell, in a matter of hours it will be fully out of its shell. We didn't hang around to see that obviously, but Danielle and I were both very excited to see it, and hear it! That owl was peeping like there was no tomorrow. SOOO cute. Here's a pic for ya...

The egg at the top left is the one that is hatching.

Soo cool! I just might be able to see babies before I leave. I banded my first burrowing owl yesterday as well. I had banded Saw-whet owls before, so I already knew the gist, but I want to band as much as I can. The females weigh more than the males always. Partly because they need the energy more to lay eggs, and then incubate. Almost every time we catch an owl, they bite their tongue with their beak. I hate it when they do that, but it seems to be the norm, and no worries, their tongues heal back fast. 

I finally got to see coyotes here. I can hear them howling at night, but I hadn't been able to see one until Sunday. Oh and I finally saw a mule deer. Lots to see out here. I've seen and heard more birds here than I ever thought I would. Here are some of the birds I have added to my life list since I got out here (I don't really have a life list written, it's all in my head at this point): Western King bird, Harrier, California Quail, Brewer's blackbird, pheasant, nighthawk, Great-Horned Owl, Burrowing owl, Curlew, Meadowlark. I think that's all of them. I may have seen some birds in zoos and the like, but I don't count those. I only count what I see in the wild. Ah, I almost forgot to tell you, so sometimes when we get to an artificial burrow, we cover up the front entrance with our "plunger", and walk the female back into the nest chamber. Once she is in there, we lift the top of the nest chamber open, reach in, and grab her. That way you don't have to trap. So, yesterday we came upon one. I opened up, but there was a HUGE Black widow inside hanging out in its web. I kind of froze. I was like, I can't do this. haha. I told Danielle...there's a black widow, I can't grab her. She kept trying to encourage me that I could do it. I grabbed a handful of grass, swatted away the web and spider. But, I just don't like those spiders..I'm sorry, but they are just plain scary. So, Danielle came and grabbed the owl out of the chamber while I'm standing there like a scared kid. ha. Afterwards, I told DJ about it. He said, we are going to make you do it next time. You gotta get over the spider thing. I thought, you know, he's right. Gotta get over it. Stupid poisonous spiders...Next time I will catch my own owl! And I will have a picture to show you guys! 

After trapping we were all STARVING! So, we went into town and had dinner at this mom and pop sort of place. Kind of like a steak house cafe. It was awesome. They give you a huge plate of fries! Not kidding. I ordered the BBQ Brisket sandwich, they said on the menu, big enough for two. They weren't kidding. It was like an open face sandwich. It was some of the best BBQ brisket I've ever had. It hit the spot. I brought the rest of back with me to eat tonight. It was such a great weekend. Until next time, here are some more pics for ya....

 Poplar tree's are shedding their seeds

 Owl tracks on top of a mound

 My foot in front of the entrance of a burrow..keeping the female from escaping.

 The igloos they used to store the chemical weapons in.

DJ setting up a box trap. 

Danielle and DJ banding an owl 

Danielle and the owl she caught! 

 Me holding this beautiful girl

Measuring the tail feather of the owl 

 Measuring the wing...doesn't she look mad?!

Measuring the tarsus on the owl 

Looking at the brood patch on the female 

 hehe...Smiling at my owlie friend! 

Letting her back in her home..this is a natural burrow btw.