A family of great horned owls is nesting in a open area in Beacon Hill Park. (CTV)
A family of great horned owls is nesting in a open area in Beacon Hill Park.
The raptors are common in the region, but they usually nest in dense, forested areas, making it difficult for people to see them.
The parents were spotted in January in the garry oak meadow along Bridge Way, and the first of the two owlets was seen about 10 days ago by the birding community.
The area surrounding the feathered family’s nest has been taped off, and warning signs asking people not to disturb the wildlife and to keep dogs away have also been put in place.
“These guys are doing pretty well, it seems, here, but they are obviously aware of our presence and especially our pets,” said Ann Nightingale, a volunteer at Rocky Point Bird Observatory.
“Nobody told the great horned owl about leashes and how they work, so they see a lot of foxes and wolves coming through this area, which may affect their behaviour.”
Nightingale said the owlets are now taking short flights, but their flight-feathers haven’t grown in yet. That means they may end up on the ground, which is all part of their upbringing. The parents will take care of the owlets and get them back in the trees, so there is no need to “save” the chicks.
The long-time volunteer with the observatory points out that the owlets are vulnerable to ravens or other raptors, and the attention they are receiving from the crowds of people heading into the park to have a look could be putting the younglings at risk.
“A raven might not have noticed them, but they see all these people gathered around and go, 'Hmmm, I wonder if there is anything to eat there,'” said Nightingale.
She suggests that people not linger too long observing the birds, remain quiet and not to get too close.
Great horned owls will care for their chicks for months. Even once they are fully feathered, the chicks will call to their parents for food that will be delivered up into the fall.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to provide an update on the wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused widespread property damage in several provinces.
Apple appears poised to unveil a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
Newly released documents say the intelligence community's relationship with its key watchdog has been particularly strained over the last year due to a 'level of resistance' to scrutiny.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
A public meeting will give Calgarians an inside look into the exact details of an agreement in principle that could land the city a new event centre, but critics are already skeptical of the cost breakdown.
Paul Bernardo should “rot in a maximum-security prison” for the rest of his “miserable existence,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Monday after the notorious serial killer was moved to a medium-security prison.
People in Toronto will experience poor air quality and reduced visibility due to the wildfires burning in Quebec and northern Ontario, Environment Canada said Monday.
A public meeting will give Calgarians an inside look into the exact details of an agreement in principle that could land the city a new event centre, but critics are already skeptical of the cost breakdown.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a plan to protect iconic Prairie grasslands, considered one of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems in the country.
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye has died. He was 67 years old. He founded the newspaper 31 years ago to serve Montreal's English-speaking Black and Caribbean populations.
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.
Air quality remains a concern in regions throughout Quebec, including the Greater Montreal area which is currently under a smog warning. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued smog warnings for the Greater Montreal Area, and special air quality statements are in effect for large portions of the province due to the growing number of forest fires.
A wildfire that tore through homes and businesses in the Halifax area is 100 per cent contained, but a historic fire in southwestern Nova Scotia remains out of control.
The Nova Scotia government says it is investigating the theft of personal information stolen through a global privacy breach to a third-party file transfer system the province was using.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a plan to protect iconic Prairie grasslands, considered one of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems in the country.
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
After a long hockey season, most kids are done with the cold rinks by spring. But for the chance to rub shoulders with a locally grown hockey superstar, you dust off the gear and skate in June.
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
A wayward and unresponsive business plane that flew over the nation's capital Sunday afternoon caused the military to scramble a fighter jet before the plane crashed in Virginia, officials said. The fighter jet caused a loud sonic boom that was heard across the capital region.
A family of great horned owls is nesting in a open area in Beacon Hill Park. (CTV)
