The burrowing owls of the Tri-Cities are back. Proof can be seen on the OwlCam.
The state set up the solar-powered camera three years ago to record owls at a secret burrow in the Tri-Cities.
Several owls have been caught on the candid cam in the past week, but exactly how many are in the family and if it includes any owlets hasn't been determined, said Mike Livingston, a Pasco-based wildlife biologist with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
He said about 70 percent of the burrowing owls in the Tri-Cities leave for the winter and return in the spring.
The OwlCam is live every day during daylight hours. To watch the owls, go to http://wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/wildview.htm, then follow the link to OwlCam.
Livingston said since the burrow has been under observation it's been home to several burrowing owl families.
"There have been different owls at different times," he said.
The rapid growth of the Tri-Cities has meant the loss of the owls' shrub -steppe, and the state is watching them for possible endangered species listing.
The owls are relatively adaptable to habitat changes, but their rate of growth and development in Benton and Franklin counties in the past decade has wildlife biologists like Livingston concerned.
State wildlife biologists last surveyed the Tri-City area for burrowing owls in 2004, determining there were about 100 of the little birds. But Livingston said more owls likely live in other rural areas of Benton and Franklin counties.
Burrowing owls attempt to breed each year and can have eight to nine owlets when they succeed, Livingston said.
The OwlCam helps biologists keep an eye on the birds, but it's also an educational tool for the public and students.
"It makes people aware of owls, and the web page has lot of information on owl ecology," Livingston said.
He also hopes to take video and install a Night-Cam this year so researchers can get more details about the owls' behaviors.
The public can learn more about burrowing owls May 16-17 during the Outdoor Youth Expo at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick.
Print
E-Mail
