There were a lot of hoots and hooting to be heard inside Hafner Hall at the Allamuchy Township Fire House this past Friday morning and Charlie Fineran was on hand for an Owl of a Time!

The reason for all the HOOTS & HOOTING was simple: “When Owls meet Owls, expect some hooting!”

Some 50 Allamuchy Seniors, better known as the O.W.L.S. (Older – Wiser – Livelier – Seniors), were introduced to and met, close and personal, with some like named guests: four owls from the Avian Wildlife Center located in Wantage Township, Sussex County. Andy Warhol once said, “The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet”  and I believe we could apply his sentiment to this meeting.  Think about this, while they both may share the same name, their lifestyles are opposite. Most O.W.L.S. tend to prefer daylight activities and the other owls, well they don’t get going until it gets dark!  Needless to say ALL the O.W.L.S./OWLS had a HOOT of a grand time in Allamuchy!

Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes, which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight.

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO OF THE WEEK

I am at Allamuchy Town Hall early last week and overhear a conversation, mentioning John Lapadula, President of the Allamuchy Senior Citizens and an upcoming program about owls.  “He will need to put in a voucher etc., etc.”  My curiosity is raised and asking a couple of questions, I soon realize that the program will be given by a long-time friend of mine, Giselle Smolko, owner of the Avian Wildlife Center.  I had originally met Giselle, through our mutual membership in the Sussex County Bird Club.  Then, over the years, have recommended her to many groups and organizations to utilize her for various presentations about Wildlife and Birds!  I have made donations over the years to support Giselle’s important work, BUT, COVID-19 side tracked that. 

HMM (Now I am thinking) I see an opportunity here!  I have also, been a friend of John Lapadula over the years and been involved with many programs and activities together!  THAT’S IT!!  My game plan:  I’ll get back on track, with my donations to the Avian Wildlife Center by taking care of funding the Owl Program for the seniors.  Notified Stacy at the Finance Office to forget about the voucher and phoned John and Giselle. 

I now know what my Photo of the Week Article will be about!!  ***(HINT:  Please keep in mind there are many wonderful non-profit organizations out there making our world a better place!! Please donate or volunteer!!)***

THE MEETING

Giselle began the program stating the Avian Wildlife Center is a rehabilitation center that treats all species of injured and orphaned wild birds with the goal of returning them healthy to the wild.  It is licensed by state and federal authorities to do this work, but is funded through private donations.  The center is located in Northwestern New Jersey.  The center offers educational programs to all ages, provides an information resource, works on conservation projects and field research to better protect our native species. 

Giselle then proceeded to individually introduce the four guests of honor.  The order of presentation, (1) Long-eared Owl, body size 15 inches, whose one wing was damaged and prevented him from being returned to the wild.  He remained in the cage.  (2) Eastern Screech Owl – body size 10 inches (3) Northern Saw-whet Owl body size 7 inches.  The first three owls had sustained their injuries being struck by cars.  (4) Great Horned Owl, body size 25 inches.  This owl was not injured, however, it had been rescued and raised by humans which created a ‘False reality mentality’ in which he could not survive in the wild.  He assists at the Avian Wildlife Center in fostering young horned owls. 

Each owl had its own story to be told, because of habitat, size, prey etc. The program closed with a visual aids presentation high-lighting some of the unique characteristics of owls.  With their specialized eyesight, an owl can see in the dark better than we can see in the light.  Owls can not move their eyes, but they compensate by being able to turn their heads 270 degrees around their body.  Owls do not need to see their prey!  They can hear a mouse moving under the snow or leaves.  Some owls have uneven ear location on their heads which allows them to line up their heads and focus in on the exact location of their unseen prey.  Sometimes owls will hunt in daylight. Case in point, if there is a heavy downpour at night they cannot hear prey and if they have young needing food, they will hunt in daytime!

There are several owls that do hunt in daylight, though, such as the Snowy Owl from the artic, which hunts by day with the 24 hour sun there.  The Short-eared owl also is known to hunt by day.  Owls have some of the strongest talons in the avian kingdom, One of the largest owl species, the five-pound great horned owl, can curl its talons with a force of 300 pounds per square inch.  Many owls swallow their prey whole. Whatever is not able to be digested is packed into a ‘pellet’ and regurgitated a few hours after their meal.  Scientists can pick apart these pellets and know exactly what the owl had eaten.

I believe I am safe in saying that our Allamuchy O.W.L.S. have a much greater appreciation of their namesakes after this wonderful and interesting presentation. 

For more information about the Avian Wildlife Center, go to these links: Avian Wildlife Center and the Avian Wildlife Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Avian-Wildlife-Center-173585566024078/

To learn about the Allamuchy Seniors visit – https://allamuchynj.org/seniors

Enjoy Your Open Space  

Charlie Fineran   

Director Open Space   

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman   

Allamuchy Historical Society = President