Date: 5/27/26 5:47 pm From: Wes Fritz via groups.io <wes-fritz...> Subject: [sbcobirding] Barn Owls
SB Birders,
Yesterday May 26th, I drove north via Hwy 101 to SLO, and returned south via Hwy 101 to Buellton. I counted 17 dead Barn Owls and one American Crow. 5 Badgers and 3 weasels.
The number of owls could have been higher, I could only count the owls on the median and shoulder of the highway. Caltrans has not mowed the tall grass on the side of the highway. Many owls bounce to side of the road during vehicle strikes, the tall grass prevents me from getting accurate counts.
This is a sad way of counting how well our owl hatch was this spring, but it’s the only method I am aware of. I guess the positive side of this note is, all the rain made for a very good nesting season for Barn Owls.
I drove out/scouted Lompoc today and did not find any new vehicles strikes. I’m planing on doing the Buellton to Goleta Run in the next day or so.
