Raptors!

We in Del Mar have our share of raptors, aka birds of prey, who are ready and able to hunt. They come equipped with quite sensational abilities: super sharp eyes, powerful wings for swift and silent flying, taloned feet to catch and carry their capture, plus hooked beaks better to tear and consume it. Their favorite foods include rodents, rabbits, fish, lizards, snakes, other birds and, as pet owners of little dogs and outdoor cats are aware, any small possibly edible animal within raptors’ reach. Given that pet owners need to keep vigilant, these apex predators are essential to the balance of our ecosystems. Most raptors eat up all of what they kill. Any leftovers are finished off by the scavengers, vultures and condors, who clean up carrion scraps doing their part to prevent the possible spread of disease.

Thirty species of raptors call California home. Six are threatened and listed as endangered: California Condor, Bald Eagle, Swainson’s Hawk, Northern Spotted Owl, Elf Owl,Great Grey Owl.The many others including Cooper’s Hawk, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Great-horned Owl, Barn Owl, Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Turkey Vulture and all are protected under California State law.

Just last November a Barn Owl was a special guest at a talk about local raptors co-sponsored by the Del Mar Foundation and the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Bird handler Sharyl Massey spoke on raptors’ unique characteristics and the diversity of species found in our San Dieguito Watershed. Photographs raptors by Del Mar resident John Weare’s were shown on the city monitors and displayed along with art by Sue Britt.