Spring 2001
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Spring 2001 |
Owls in earthquake-damaged Capitol!
When the Feb. 28 earthquake cracked the dome of the Capitol in Olympia and the building was off-limits to people, three barn owls took up residence!
Seems that damage inspectors left a window open high on the dome and the birds flew in.
One molting juvenile was captured in a mist net and released outside by urban biologist Michelle Tirhi and other WDFW staff. Windows throughout the building were left open to encourage departure of the other two, possibly an adult nesting pair.
Although barn owls are not uncommon, their namesake nesting habitat - barns — are less common in Washington today than in the past. Could they be adapting to urban sprawl by using abandoned buildings, such as our state Capitol?
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