Where can my Grandma View Owls in the Bay Area?

August 11, 2020 4:13 PM

My Grandma (previously seen in Fancy Food for Grandma) has had low morale lately. However, she loves owls. Her birthday is coming up and I’ve already have the owl piñata and party favors. Is there somewhere we could see owls in-person in the Bay Area? Good organizations to make a donation to? What about a good livestream of owls? Party ideas also welcome.
posted by likethenight to Pets & Animals (9 answers total)

Lindsay Wildlife Experience. I don’t know what’s going on with them and COVID, but they do owl rescue and I saw many owls there last December.
posted by FencingGal at 4:28 PM on August 11, 2020

Tanja_brandt on Instagram, if Covid keeps y'all indoors. Absolutely amazing owl pics.
posted by liminal_shadows at 4:53 PM on August 11, 2020

Martial Cottle Park in south San Jose put in owl boxes and also did a ranger-lead hike. Not sure what they are doing during covid time. Maybe call the park to find out: [phone], parkinfo@​prk.sccgov.org
posted by gloturtle at 5:02 PM on August 11, 2020

You could arrange for an owl to visit her via Zoom, Google Hangout, or Skype: https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/owlbomb
posted by icebergs at 5:04 PM on August 11, 2020 [10 favorites]

Explore has lots of animal cams, including one for great horned owls.
posted by toastyk at 5:08 PM on August 11, 2020

The Owl Research Institute (lots of videos; symbolic owl adoption) partners with Explore.org for streams and highlight reels - here's the Rogers residence in Montana. Bay Area cams at All About Owls (events on hold). Barn owl boxes are common.
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:08 PM on August 11, 2020 [1 favorite]

I've seen burrowing owls at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley, but that's definitely not guaranteed, unfortunately. Great horned owls live in a redwood tree next to my old apartment in Berkeley...feel free to memail if you want the address. I occasionally saw them in the daytime, and heard them basically every night. I heard from someone there that they had two chicks last month, though I don't know if they're still there.
posted by pinochiette at 5:17 PM on August 11, 2020 [1 favorite]

I was visiting a relative who lives in Rossmoor and heard owls there in the mornings and evenings - if she knows anyone who lives there, you could go for a socially distanced visit.
posted by mogget at 5:42 PM on August 11, 2020

Youth Science Institute in Alum Rock Park has live but damaged raptors they keep on display for educational purposes. Call them for covid hours and availability.
posted by the Real Dan at 1:27 AM on August 12, 2020 [1 favorite]