Barn Owl Nest Discovered In Wisconsin, First One Seen In 20 Years

WISCONSIN — A nest with two barn owls and three owlets was found in La Crosse — the first barn owl nest discovered in Wisconsin in 20 years, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday.

International Owl Center Executive Director Karla Bloem found the owl family after a young barn owl fell out of a dead tree in a La Crosse resident's back yard in September. Bloem made the discovery by placing a camera scope into the cavity of the dead tree.

The young owl was picked up by the Coulee Region Humane Society from Onalaska and was returned to the nest after being nursed back to health, state wildlife officials said.

The adults and their young stayed near the nest site at least through the end of the month, wildlife officials added.

More barn owls have been seen in Wisconsin and other upper Midwestern states, and state wildlife officials say they think a few may be nesting in southern Wisconsin.

Sightings have always been uncommon in Wisconsin due to the barn owls' more southern range, and they were put on the state endangered species list after its population in Wisconsin declined in the 1980s, state wildlife officials said.

Barn owls aren't a globally threatened species, but their populations have declined in many areas, according to the Owl Research Institute's website.

“This is an exciting development for Wisconsin, as this nest could have easily gone undetected,” said Ryan Brady, conservation biologist and bird monitoring coordinator for the state wildlife agency. “Kudos to the staff at Coulee Region Humane, Karla from the International Owl Center for diligent follow-up and the homeowners who provided a habitat to foster this historic nest!”

People can report barn owl sightings to Wisconsin eBird or by using the DNR’s rare species reporting form.