West Seattle wildlife: The owls of Fauntleroy Park

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

We’ve seen a lot in the past of Lincoln Park’s owls – tonight, two of Fauntleroy Park’s owls:

Thanks to Gary Pro and Luli Weatherwax, who live by Fauntleroy Park, for sharing that photo of a baby owl, spotted sitting on their backyard bench this morning.

Meantime, Fauntleroy Park steward Steven Hodson forwarded this photo:

It’s by Kristian Nilssen, who’s not only a photographer and park volunteer, but also goalkeeper on this year’s high-achieving Chief Sealth International High School soccer team.

miws June 23, 2012 (9:13 pm)

Wow, it seems that owls are so seldom seen anywhere but in a tree, and even then, compared to other birds, are a rare sight to begin with!

I think I’d be “honored” to have an owl choose to sit on a piece of my yard furniture!

And the second pic, shows one of the coolest things in nature; how certain creatures blend into their surroundings.

The coloring, and markings on that owl, especially its head, blend in quite well with that tree.

Mike

MMB June 24, 2012 (10:11 am)

Beautiful owl pictures! I too, have been treated to that skeptical look shown by the adult. A Barred Owl graced me with a close fly-by one afternoon in Fauntleroy park, then perched nearby long enough to allow me to admire it. I would LOVE to see a baby owl too! I’m happy just knowing there are baby owls about, though. A walk through Fauntleroy Park Woods yesterday was muddy and soggy, but there was lots of birdsong. That park is an urban treasure.

fauntleroy fairy June 24, 2012 (10:43 am)

Great photo’s. Thanks so much for sharing! It gives me great joy seeing our wildlife doing so well around here.

G June 24, 2012 (3:57 pm)

I have mixed feelings about these owls.

Barred Owls are not native to this area, and are a rather aggressive Eastern U.S. transplant that started showing up in the NW in the 60’s. Their populations here are burgeoning, especially in the last decade.

They show little fear of people and be quite aggressive, with reports of them divebombing people in proximity to their nests.

They compete for territory and food with native owls and their close, but retiring, look-alikes, the Spotted Owl.

West Seattleite June 24, 2012 (5:51 pm)

Yup. There are a lot of creatures that are not native to this area. Of them all, I think the human species, me included, have been the most destructive.

Woodsman June 25, 2012 (3:41 pm)

Fauntleroy park is beautiful. It needs help with invasive removal like any park within our city! Please come explore and donate your helping hands at the same time! Do it for your heart, health and happiness! Also you can hear the owls while you work. Pretty cool.

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