Looking out for baby owls

Photo: Contributed

The South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls in Oliver has issued an advisory to the public on what to do if they come across baby raptors. 

It comes at the start of spring when many owls will be raising their young.

"After receiving so many juvenile birds unnecessarily last year, I am trying to get information out to the public," said SORCO manager Dale Belvedere.

Belvedere says many raptors may become separated from their parents before they are old enough to survive on their own.

A storm, logging, or land clearance may also destroy the nest, and other predators can disturb it causing the juveniles to fall to the ground.

A grounded raptor is not necessarily an orphan. Unless the parents are deceased, they will continue to guard and feed their young on the ground. They will do this until the young develop the strength to make their way to the trees.

Sometimes a young bird may be grounded for several weeks, and in the absence of human disturbance or predation, juveniles have a reasonable chance of survival. 

The following is a reminder of what to do if you come across a grounded juvenile:

• Do not pick it up.  
• Do not feed it.
• Call SORCO immediately at 250-498-4251, and they will assess the situation.