Date: July 16, 2010

NOCTURNAL WONDERS IN THE MACE RANCH PARK

By Carmen DeLeon

They hiss and screech, but are silent when they swoop. They look like a ghost overhead and only come out at night.

Barn Owls (Tyto alba) are just one kind of the many animals that awaken in the Mace Ranch Park after the sun stops shining on Explorit's field-tripping and summer-camping kids.

By day, Explorit Nature Center bustles with science discovery programs and excited visitors who may not realize that Explorit's neighborhood offers a whole different set of wonders at night. Students on field trips engage in scientific exploration as they collect ecosystem artifacts on Nature Safaris or investigate compost and worms in Nature Labs. Each day provides new opportunity to see the many insects, plants, and animals that live right in Explorit's backyard and the surrounding Mace Ranch Park. What most visitors do not know is that there is a chance for more nature discovery that comes alive each evening as nocturnal wildlife awakens.

Most nights you can take a walk in the Mace Ranch Park and see Barn Owls. They have an overall light appearance with a light brown back and white, heart-shaped face. In flight, their ghostly silhouette stands out against the night sky as they search for prey. Unlike the larger Great-Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), Barn Owls do not hoot. Instead, they make a range of hissing and screeching sounds to defend territories and communicate with each other.

Barn Owls are widespread across the continents in urban and agricultural areas. The many trees, eaves of buildings, and barns in the area make Davis a perfect habitat for Barn Owls to thrive. In addition to providing roost sites, living alongside people has the benefit of abundant prey. (Where there are people, there are pests!) Luckily for Barn Owls, the rodents attracted by cities and farms are the perfect meal. The average Barn Owl eats 2-3 rodents per night. That's over 700 per year!

Barn Owls often swallow small prey whole and head first, but they have relatively weak stomach acid. This means they cannot digest any of the bones or fur from their prey. Instead, Barn Owls must regurgitate the bones and fur as owl pellets. Owl pellets can be found under the tall Valley Oak trees dotting the Mace Ranch Park landscape and are the perfect opportunity for nature investigation. Dissecting owl pellets is an easy and fun way to use your science detective skills to discover more about the diets of these natural pest controllers and maybe even brush up on some anatomy as you piece together the jigsaw puzzle of bones.

For more help with your owl pellet investigation, visit Explorit Science Center or learn about how we can visit you. Owl pellets are available for purchase in the Explorit Store at 2801 2nd Street and are available for check out from our "Bin-quiry" units during first floor public hours. Owl pellet dissection is also part of the "Amazing Animal" Classroom Adventure where Explorit brings hands-on scientific inquiry into your school.

Coming soon at Explorit:

o Wednesday, July 21: Explorit will be at the Davis Farmer's Market with a table sponsored by Woodland Healthcare. This week's activities will be about nutrition.

o Friday, July 23: Explorit Science Center and Black Diamond Productions present the third opportunity to "Listen, Try, and Play" with presentations and activities from 7:00-11:00PM. Sci-Sound III will focus on the science behind the turntables, music, and sound. These "Club Style" evenings are teen-friendly and alcohol free, recommended for ages 12 and up.

After the presentations, visitors can enjoy a DJ Competition, designed to discover and promote new talents in the local DJ scene. Previously signed-up DJ participants will have a chance to show the audience and judges their skills and abilities and to win a free Sci-Sound IV Registration ($300 value)! Each Sci-Sound competition is limited to 12 DJ Participants.

More information available at http://www.bdpcali.com and advanced-sale tickets can be purchased at http://scisound3.eventbrite.com/.

So bring your CDs and your friends to listen to music and win a chance to compete at the Sci-Sound IV Final for Pioneer Pro DJ Gear!

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Explorit Science Center, at 2801 Second St., has two exhibitions on display: "Move It! Science in Action" and "Take Matter Into Your Own Hands." Admission is $4 general, free for teachers, and ages 3 and under. The museum is open to school groups by reservation and to the general public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. For more information call (530) 756-0191 or visit http://www.explorit.org.