HOUSTON, Minn. – A young barn owl that fell from a nest high in a dead tree in LaCrosse has been reunited with its nest mates. Karla Bloem, director of the International Owl Center in Houston, said the bird was banded to track it into the future. Coulee Humane Society authorities were called about the bird in September and summoned Bloem for advice. She climbed the tree. With a camera, she found three other tiny owls inside. Their fallen sibling was returned the nest. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Department said the nest was the first confirmed in the state with new hatchings since 1999. The agency said it receives no more than a couple sightings a year.
Among the few. Although once abundant in the Midwest, their population has nose-dived due to toxic pesticides and farm encroachment on their nesting preferences.
Bloem. International Own Center director. With an owl all grown up.