Barred owl - like the rest of us - hungry for spring

A barred owl sits atop a lattice outside a Center Road home on Thursday afternoon. (Harrison Thorp photo)

LEBANON - A raptor specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said on Friday this winter’s severe weather threatens the state’s owl population because they are unable to track down rodents like mice and voles hunkered deep beneath the snowpack.

“Because we have abundant snow cover, all their prey are tucked under the snow in their burrows,” said Erynn Call. “It’s great for the rodents, but not for owls who can’t see their prey. As they get hungrier they’ll just hang out in the yard.”

Meadow voles are the prime diet for barred owls like the one that’s been hanging out at the home of Beverly and Floyd St-Arnault of Center Road in Lebanon.

Call said the barred owl that’s been hanging around the yard is probably in some distress unable to find food and slowly weakening.

She stressed there’s nothing folks can do but let nature takes its course and advises not to try to feed them.

“This year looks like a good year for rodents, but next winter might be shorter and it will be a very good year for owls,” Call added.

She had no numbers on how many owls may be endangered but said she’s had several Mainers who have seen owls in their yards and later found them on the ground having succumbed to the elements and hunger.

The owl has taken up residence outside the St-Arnaults' home on Center Road.

“Some of them have been very emaciated,” she said.

Beverly St-Arnault said on Friday their owl was sitting on a tarp in their yard. On Thursday it sat on top of an outbuilding.

Floyd St-Arnault said he’d gotten within 10 feet of it without its moving.

Call said if folks see an injured bird they can contact http://avianhaven.org/, but if it’s just hungry, there’s little you can do.

“It’s tough for some people to see wildlife suffer, but that’s nature,” she said.

Meanwhile, the St-Arnaults are pulling for their winged friend whom they’ve grown quite fond of.

Actually, we are, too.