Two juvenile barn owls to be released from Greenstone
“It was believed they had been living in the ceiling of a roof at a property before they were taken to the SPCA,”
Two juvenile Barn Owls recently found temporary accommodation in Greenstone in preparation for their release in June.
On May 30 the two owlets were placed in an enclosure located at Pebble Creek Estate.
The placement was done by Sara Orcahrdson from EcoSolutions and non-profit organisation OwlProject.org.
They will remain in the enclosures for 21 days as they acclimate and assimilate to the area in the hopes that the owls remain around Pebble Creek and the nearby wetland when released.
Sara said initially the owls were brought to Boksburg SPCA.
“It was believed they had been living in the ceiling of a roof at a property before they were taken to the SPCA,” said Sara.
She said uninjured the owls were fed until they were large enough to be ‘released’.
Sara said EcoSolutions and OwlProject.org have had a relationship with Pebble Creek for over 10 years.
While the owls are in their enclosure they will be fed and watched over by a group of nine Pebble Creek volunteers.
Sara said the volunteers will act as the owl’s surrogate parents, by feeding them.
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The owls will each be fed two to three-day-old chicks every day.
“Each feeding time volunteers need to make a tshhh, tshhh sound to inform the owls that it’s feeding time,” said Sara.
Leading the volunteers as Pebble Creek’s owl ambassador is Claire Wilson.
Claire, who has been involved in the release of owls previously, said she volunteered to be an ambassador because of her love for animals.
As the owl’s surrogate parents, the volunteers need to monitor the owls and determine how much they are eating.
Sara said on the day of release the Barn Owls will be released before sunrise.
She explained that this would be done so that the owls could find a location nearby to sleep.
Once released the owls will still be fed however the day-old chicks will be placed on top of the enclosure instead of inside it.
Volunteers will still need to make the feeding call.
Sara said this is done to notify the owl’s food is in the area as they get used to hunting in the area.
For more information about owl release projects or how to get involved email info@Ecosolutions.co.za. Alternatively, visit OwlProject.org.
