Wildlife experts at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico have discovered seven chicks of Mexican spotted owls on the research facility's property during surveys of nests last month.
Biologist Chuck Hathcock of Los Alamos' Environmental Stewardship group explained that while the laboratory already has a history of owls nesting on its property since 1993, the latest discovery of the chicks marks the largest number they have had in a single year.
Hathcock added that the increase in the owl's numbers provides a good example of Los Alamos' goal of working with conservation groups. He said that the LANL has teamed up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to manage the animal habitat.
During the birds' breeding season in spring, Los Alamos initiates measure to reduce noise produced by lab activity, such as the use of heavy equipment, until wildlife experts determine whether there are owls' nests in the property.
When the birds leave their habitats in the fall, Hathcock said they are not certain where all the chicks go. He said that the baby owls could go short ways or long ways.
While biologists working at the LANL are permitted to conduct nest surveys on the lab's property, they are not allowed to band and track the birds.
The Mexican spotted owl is considered as one of the largest species of owls native to North America, with an average size of 16 to 19 inches in height and a wingspan of about three and a half feet.
Compared to other owls, the Mexican spotted owl, and both genders are marked by odd-looking brown and white spots located on their chests.
Female Mexican spotted owls are also known to be larger than their male counterparts.
Back in 2004, around 8.6 million acres of federally-owned land in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico were named critical habitat for Mexican spotted owls. Experts believe the species inhabits 21 out of the 33 counties in New Mexico. The bird's range also reaches the mountains of Sierra Madre in Mexico.
In 2011, thousands of acres designated as the spotted owl's habitat around the laboratory in the Jemez Mountains were ruined by Las Conchas Fire.
Photo: Zion National Park | Flickr
