(strix varia)
This barred owl was found on the ground in the yard of a local school in New Bern, NC on February 12, 2010. We rescued it in the morning and that night we were bombarded with at least 5 inches of snow (very unusual for us in eastern North Carolina!) The owl would never have survived that.
When we examined it we found it to be quite thin, very dehydrated, and its feet were torn up with lacerations and scabs. It was also quite anemic. Two weeks of treatment and appropriate food turned this raggedy bird into a real owl.
Because the owl was on school grounds we spoke with the principal of Ben D. Quinn Elementary School about releasing the owl in front of the children. He was ecstatic. We released the barred owl on Friday afternoon, February 26, 2010 with hundreds of kids cheering it on.
Click on the picture and see how our local television station caught all the action. Our thanks to all who helped in the care of this beautiful bird and to the smart kids who knew it wasn't where it was supposed to be.