Logbook from the field.

*Undisclosed location in southeastern PA.

This week, we found ourselves along a road in the fading light of a summer day, waiting for Barn Owls to emerge from a nest box. The sky was filled with majestic clouds awash with warm yellows, and pinks. Behind them, dark storm clouds loomed. We were fortunate to avoid a soaking, as the rain moved past us to the east.

At dusk, the first owl emerged. An adult. Then another. The parents we guessed. We had heard there might be young owls. And to our surprise two well grown juveniles emerged. Four!

With whispered cries of excitement, we counted the four owls several times to be sure we were not dreaming. They were all banded; a great sign. In the 20th century Barn Owl populations suffered from habitat loss due to development, DDT in agriculture, and the use of rat poison to control rodent populations. Thanks to dedicated people working in various agencies on various continents, these amazing birds have been slowly making a comeback.

The began their evening dance with the wind and field, by exploring some fences and farm equipment before flying silently into the growing darkness to hunt and feed.

We could hear their soft screeches. Their sounds had the familiar tones of parents guiding their children. Were they teaching their young to hunt still? What were they saying?

As we all parted ways in the now full darkness, I wondered to myself what they thought of us, and what if anything they were saying to their offspring about humans.

-J. Ruggles