This week we’re taking a closer look at a member of the owl family that calls Murphys Point home, the Barred Owl! These, mostly nocturnal, predators are well known to campers because of their uniquely expressive hooting hoo hoo ho-ho, hoo hoo ho-hoooaaaw (“who cooks for you, who cooks for you all”). The Barred Owl’s name comes from the horizontal patterning across their upper breast and wings. Sexual dimorphism exists in this species- females can be up to one third larger than males. These birds are actually bigger than you might imagine with a wingspan of over a meter! Like other bird species, the Barred Owl regurgitates its undigested food into a mass of fur, feathers, and bones known as pellets- if you look closely, you may be able to find pellets like these at Murphys Point! This feathered friend was spotted near the Rideau Comfort Station in a cedar tree.
This picture features Echo, a 20+ year old Gray Ratsnake that’s been seen in the park frequently over the last 17 years. The Gray Ratsnake is this week’s species of the week. An average full-grown length of 6ft makes this species Canada’s longest snake! They are docile constrictors, feeding on mostly small rodents and bird eggs. Young Gray Ratsnakes have a dark grey and black pattern that darkens as they get older to become mostly black. Not to be confused with the Northern Watersnake, Gray Ratsnakes have a bright white chin and a flat underbelly which makes them excellent climbers. Unfortunately, Gray Ratsnakes are a threatened species due to habitat loss, road mortality, and persecution. If you’ve seen a Gray Ratsnake in the park or elsewhere, share a picture with us using the hashtag #friendsofmurphyspoint on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Check back next week to learn about another species that can be found at Murphys Point!
