This morning WES was contacted by the SPCA for Monterey County about a young barn owl that had fallen from its nest inside a covered riding arena in Hollister, CA.
The property owner found the little owl yesterday at about 3:00 PM, so it missed last night's feedings by its parents. Arrangements were made to have the owlet transferred to our headquarters for a cursory exam and feeding.
On arrival, the chick was somewhat quiet but otherwise in good shape - no signs of injury from its fall. It was placed in a carrier and provided a meal of gopher bits, which it readily devoured.
By afternoon, the owlet was bright, alert, exhibiting normal barn owl spunkiness, so plans were made to attempt a reunion.
The sandy ground was littered with owl pellets, so they knew the nest was somewhere above, within the framework of the metal truss, but it wasn't obvious.
Duane started up the ladder to investigate, when an adult owl shot out of an opening between the roof and one of the rafters - pinpointing the nest location.
It took about 30 minutes for Duane to make the necessary repairs to the nest. He shored up three openings at one end, and used a cinder block to help keep the chicks in the nest cavity until they're older.
With the nest more secure, the little owlet was delivered home.
Check out the video below.
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