Public warned to leave Penticton owl nest alone

A great horned owl nest in a Penticton park is getting a lot of attention since three owlettes hatched about five weeks ago.

The manager of the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO) says now is a critical time for the bird family.

Dale Belvedere says it’s very important that people stay away from the nest on the 100 block of Main Street.

“They’re called branchers right now and they are going to start hopping out of the nest, going from branch to branch.  There’s a good chance they will fall to the ground, which is normal,” Belvedere said. “Mom and Dad will continue to care for them.”

Belvedere says well-meaning passerby can cause trouble for the owlettes if they pick them up, thinking they are injured or orphaned.

Last year SORCO rehabilitated over 40 owls, many of them brought in by people thinking they needed rescue when they did not.

“This is natural. This is nature. This is what their life is about,” Belvedere said.  “They will survive, so don’t interfere with it.”

Belvedere says if people would like to learn more about great horned owls they are invited to come to the SORCO open house on May 7.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the centre, located at 8965 Hwy 97 (10 kilometres south of OK Falls).