West Seattle wildlife: Owl family in Lincoln Park

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Thanks to Kim and Jordan Petram of Fauntleroy for sharing these photos of a baby owl and its parents in Lincoln Park tonight – Kim says they were spotted in the trees “north of the north parking lot.”

Looking at birdweb.org – we’re thinking these are barred owls (experts, please weigh in)? Also note – Camp Long naturalists often lead owl-watching walks in Lincoln Park; check the newly issued summer brochure (registration starts Tuesday) or the online signup system SPARC for upcoming opportunities.

cjboffoli May 23, 2009 (9:42 pm)

Great shots! So cool. Looks like a Screech Owl to me.

SpeakLoud May 23, 2009 (9:49 pm)

That is so beautiful. I always feel so blessed that we live in such an incredible place. Lets keep it that way for now and always.

WSB May 23, 2009 (10:12 pm)

The Seattle Audubon page only had a Western Screech Owl
http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=242
but I am **absolutely** no owl expert. Only backyard birds like the woodpeckers and songbirds putting on a show for our (house) cats.

KR May 23, 2009 (10:24 pm)

Barred Owl for sure.

Minette May 23, 2009 (10:51 pm)

KR’s right, it’s a Barred Owl (Strix varia). Here’s a link to some more photographs of the bird from earlier in the week before it fledged: http://www.flickr.com/photos/minette_layne/3550386740/

WSB May 23, 2009 (10:58 pm)

Be sure to check out Minette’s link – it’s also got some amazing backstory. Had no idea. Quite the saga. Thanks for sharing! – TR

Byron May 24, 2009 (6:26 am)

Another family lives behind our house in Schmitz Park — only seen them once, but hear them in the summer.

awesome May 24, 2009 (7:58 am)

awesome shots! So cool not just to know an owl is there but she has a baby. It really says a lot about why forests are important.

Kim May 24, 2009 (9:03 am)

Thank you Minette (and WSB) for your pictures and history of this baby owl.
My son and I watched the baby climb up to the branch it is on in the photo. It is too young to fly. Both parents stayed on different trees watching the baby closely while it, literally, climbed straight up the tree trunk using it’s claws only. The crows were dive bombing and eventually one of the parents decided to perch on the branch with the baby.

SarahScoot May 24, 2009 (10:15 am)

He looks like a little Ewok! Thanks for the pictures. I’ve spotted barred owls at Lincoln Park and Camp Long, but never a baby.

B-squared May 24, 2009 (2:16 pm)

Fabulous news that they are still there and trying to make a go of it. i’ve seen one of the parents before but didn’t know there was a nesting pair. YAY!