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They are often seen crossing roads in the dark rainy nights of early spring. If you want to figure out who is who check out our great ID resources below. And if you are paddling around a wetland keep an eye out for the egg masses — each one has distinct features that are unique to the species that laid it! It is important to note that our native amphibians breed in the early spring February and March , the invasive amphibians Green Frogs and Bullfrogs lay their eggs in the summer time.
If you find something you are unsure of take a clear photo, ideally with something included for size reference, and email it to us!
As part of our continuing series to highlight both common and rare species that live in our valley, our latest ID sheet is here. Winter is a great time to be on the lookout for the beautiful and fascinating owls. They provide a valuable contribution to our ecosystem by being a safe and natural form of rodent control. Download your own copy of the ID sheet here.
As most of these owls are only out and about in the evenings it is helpful to know what they sound like. Below are the corresponding links to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology audio files:. Barn Owls in the Fraser Valley Barn owls are a treasured sight on farms across the Fraser Valley, perching on fence posts and swooping over open grass fields at dusk, but their populations are declining.
Gerry and a very happy barn owl. Average monthly road mortality for barn owls between and Mortality of other local owls along Highway 1. Native Plant Gardening Series Summary Native plants are naturally adapted to our local growing conditions. They require less water than many non-native plants and grow well without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. Oregon Grape Mahonia aquilifolium is an excellent choice for the low-maintenance gardener looking for a plant that offers four-season rewards.
Each spring I look forward to the first eggs being laid. Barn Owl Decline Dear RSPB and members, Why is it that after reading the latest article about the unfortunate decline of the barn owl numbers that my blood begins to boil? The goshawk that took your owl was only doing what comes naturally to ensure it's own survival - they don't have the luxuary of a supermarket to pop into for their dinner afterall! This way, you can be sure that you are not disturbing any nests, and your plants will thank you for the waiting until they their dormant season. The three barn owl chicks are now flying free and the parent birds are sitting on a new clutch!
This deer-resistant shrub adapts well to most conditions from sun to shade, and will be tolerant to a hot summer drought. Its shiny, evergreen foliage adds some winter appeal to a mostly dormant garden. Often by April or May, intense bursts of yellow flowers emerge, adding to the aesthetic appeal of your native plant garden, and providing an early food source for hummingbirds and insect pollinators.
The purple berries that follow are food for birds and other small animals. It will grow up to 2. Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis is a common shrub found in the forests of the Fraser Valley, and is the perfect fit for a naturalized home garden.
Its spreading roots allow this shrub to grow quite densely, creating a woody thicket loved by small animals looking for habitat that gives them a place to hide from larger predators. Showy pink flowers open in April, and are enjoyed by pollinators and hummingbirds looking for an early food source. Its delicious fruits are some of the earliest to ripen, feeding wildlife from as early as May, and into late July.
The berries are a favourite of many birds including, jays, grouse, robins, thrushes, waxwings. Small mammals also enjoy the red berries, and some will even eat the bark and leaves. Red flowering currant Ribes sanguineum promises to give your garden its first splash of colour after a dull winter.
Its fragrant pink-to-red flowers provide an early spring food source for hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators. The dark berries are a favourite of our native small mammals and birds. When choosing a garden location to plant your Red flowering currant, keep in mind that it will do the best in an area with plenty of sun, but that will also be shaded at some points throughout the day. You can expect this shrub to grow meters tall and 2. Growing slowly up to a mature height of 12m tall and about 8m wide, this tree provides good cover for the ground below, giving both people and wildlife a place to get out of the sun or rain.
This tree appreciates a wetter garden site with a fair amount of sun exposure. Gardeners will be pleased to find that this tree adds beauty to any landscape three seasons of the year. Certain bird species such as the beautiful varied thrush, look forward to this abundant summer food source. As autumn sets in, the leaves change to yellow or red, adding to the colour and feel of the season. Slow to establish, but prolific once it does, Western honeysuckle will spread out up to 20 feet, and can be trained to climb a trellis with ease.
It blooms in clusters of sweet-smelling orange flowers from May to June, which are loved by both butterflies and hummingbirds. The red berries begin to ripen in September and are eaten by a variety of birds, including robins and finches. Although it is known to be drought tolerant once established, Western Honeysuckle prefers to be planted in a moist location with lots of shade. Anyone who grows roses knows that they can be very particular, requiring specific care and master pruning skills. Its fragrant pink-to-red flowers, a favorite food source of bees and hummingbirds, bloom in June and July.
Nootka Rose is a fast growing plant, reaching 0. It prefers a sunny location but will tolerate shade, and likes moist, well drained soil. However, living up to its reputation as an easy-to-grow species, will also grow in drier conditions. Salal Gaultheria shallon is the native relative of the commonly used landscape plant Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens. Barn owls are best seen at dusk, hovering over field margins and rough grassland.
They are known as the ghost-bird for a reason: they almost seem translucent or glow soft white in the half-light. Their bodies appear very front-heavy, tapering from their big round head to a slender back end with a rounded tail that stabilises them whilst hovering.
Their wings are very broad, but the specialised feathers and also the downy feathers on the legs and wings mean that they hardly make a sound when flying - useful for hunting small mammals with good hearing.
Autumn is a good time of the year for seeing owls and what better way to celebrate Hallowe'en than a spooky walk? Discover some top tips to help you improve your chances of spotting and identifying feathered friends in the British countryside. Share: Twitter Facebook Pinterest Email. Richard Nicoll.
Tweet this. Finding a good home Barn owls are predominantly found in open countryside and farmland, but may also be seen on the fringes of urban areas. Caring for barn owls. Nature at Orford Ness. Swooping barn owl Richard Nicoll Photography. Plan a dusk walk along Penbryn.
A typical barn owl nest box has a six-inch entrance hole that is suitable for a barn owl but too small for a great horned owl, and the hole should be approximately four inches above the floor of the box. No perch is necessary, and adding one will only give footing to predators. Drainage holes are essential for any safe bird house , including owl boxes. Some box designs include a narrow slat along one edge so adult birds can kick out unwanted debris.
To further facilitate cleaning and appropriate monitoring, the box should have a side or top that can be safely opened. The interior dimensions of barn owl nest boxes can vary greatly. One brood of barn owls may have nestlings, and as the owlets grow a smaller box can become crowded very quickly, potentially smothering young chicks. In general, an owl box should have a floor no smaller than 10x18 inches, though larger boxes, even loft-like rooms, are common and just as likely to be attractive to nesting barn owls. Several retailers offer specialized barn owl boxes, either as kits or ready-to-use boxes.
Retailers offering boxes suitable for barn owls include:. Many of the same retailers also offer box building plans and tips for birders who would like to construct their own boxes.
In addition to these retailers, check with local Scouting groups, Audubon chapters, and other organizations about the possibility of locally-made barn owl boxes. When barn owls move into your nest box, a few simple steps are necessary to make them feel welcome. Observing nesting barn owls can be a rewarding and exciting experience. Choosing the right barn owl box, positioning it appropriately, and taking simple steps to welcome residents will encourage these ghost owls to make their homes on your property.