Posted by kelly colosimo on July 9, 2005

Q: There is an owl that is living in our yard, especially on the tennis court light fixtures, and it is leaving piles of dead animals and these coughed up pellets on the court below. Is there any way to dissuade the owl from landing there?

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: California

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: Wow, you're lucky to have an owl in your yard! Most people never get to see owls and fewer still get to see their pellets.

Owls tend to find places they like to sit for resting and looking around for food and use these places over and over again - this is what is happening on your light fixture. If you can flick on the light each time your owl comes to this perch, it might give him the message that this is NOT a good place to rest. Of course, he's probably there late in the night when you're asleep so this may not work well. Keep in mind that your owl is feeding on rodents in your area so this should help keep that population down.

If I were you, I'd pick up those pellets (you won't get ANY diseases from them) let them dry, and put in a plastic bag. Then you can share them with your local school. Kids LOVE to disect owl pellets to see what the owl has been eating - it's fun and educational. I've done this with students and it is always a big hit. Sorry not to have a ready-made answer to your visitor but hope you can cope. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( July 10, 2005)