A flock of owls has been seen around the High Desert this summer, from cooling down in residents’ kiddie pools to seeking refuge in the shade of Pinon Hills backyards.
Owls are typically nocturnal birds, sleeping during the day and waking at night to hunt for small critters like insects, fish, reptiles and small birds. Despite this, they have been spotted around town in broad daylight, some seemingly dehydrated and others in search of food.
Among the most notable sightings is Apple Valley resident Rebecca Smith’s. Smith told the Daily Press she has a nesting pair of Great Horned owls that bring their fledglings to her house each year. She says the pair has been in the highland area of Apple Valley for at least five years.
Photos of the pair generated excitement online from more than 11,000 wildlife-enthused High Desert residents, many of whom commented on how lucky Smith was.
Smith noted on June 20 that the pair has been cooling down from the heat every night in her dog’s kiddie pool. “My dog’s pool has guests,” she joked online.
The pool-loving pair has inspired Victor Valley neighbors to ready their own kiddie pools for other hot critters who might need help beating the heat this summer.
Owls have also been sighted at the Edwards Air Force Base, perched on a wire and in a Pinon Hills tree in broad daylight this summer.
Apple Valley resident Kevin Williams spotted the owl at the Air Force base. He says he frequently sees them in the area, and in this particular case, two ravens were diving in and tormenting the owl until it flew off.
The birds of prey have additionally been spotted in the lower Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree deserts this summer.
Yucca Valley resident Jaclyn Fel videoed a Great Horned owl just before sunset in her front yard, sneaking up on, catching and eating a giant palo verde beetle.
“We have very occasionally seen Great Horned owls around here,” Fel told the Daily Press, “but this year, for whatever reason, they are consistently returning every evening to hunt in our neighborhood. There are three.”
A rare barn owl has also been sighted in a seemingly dehydrated condition in the lower Joshua Tree desert. In a video taken on July 13 by Mike Bimat, the owl is seen shifting back and forth between two stacks of tires during the day. Many concerned residents on social media are sure the owl needs some water.
McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Unusual owl sightings in California’s High Desert have residents asking: What’s going on?
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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