Baby owls rescued from demolished airport buildings

[Donna]

DAGGETT • A large number of baby barn owls were found during the demolition of several dilapidated structures Wednesday at the Barstow-Daggett Airport and the demolition has been put on hold until further notice.

A total of 10 baby owls were rescued from the rubble Wednesday, including one that appeared to have broken legs. The birds were growing feathers but were unable to fly. Rick Bellis, a game warden with the Department of Fish and Game, said the owls would be taken to the Barstow Humane Society and sent to a wildlife rehabiliatator before being released.

Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is a federal offense to disturb, harm or kill a predatory bird and it is also illegal to disturb or destroy their nests. Barn owls are protected under this law, although they are not endangered. Bellis was also concerned about great horned owls potentially nesting in the building, which he said are more rare than barn owls.

Bellis said it was likely that there were more owls in the building but restricted access within 50 feet because of fears that the building would collapse. Bellis said that the nesting season for the barn owls lasts through late June, because the birds stagger their egg laying and lay about five or six eggs total.

Elena Hanson — who used to rehabilitate owls — helped rescue some of the birds Wednesday and was upset that the demolition was scheduled during the owl’s nesting season.

“What would it have hurt to wait one month?� asked Hanson, who added that she saw the parent birds flying back into the building to try to get their babies during the demolition.

Mary Hastings, another Newberry Springs resident who was watching the demolition, said she saw some of the owls run over and killed during the demolition, although a contractor working on the demolition said no owls were killed. Hastings said that the owls have been using the open structures to nest in for decades and was upset that no plans had been made in advance for the proper removal of the birds.

Angel Osuna of National Demolition Contractors said that no owl nests were found during an inspection and asbestos removal about two weeks ago.

Desert Dispatch CA.


They should have checked carefully. All those nesting owls and they didn't see any? Come on!

[Bird Crazy]

either they are liars or they were searching with their eyes shut 

[Donna]

Exactly BC, how can you miss that many Owls??? Crazy fools!