Over eighty children and parents came to Vehe Farm barn to see a rescued screech owl and great horned owl. Dawn Keller from Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation discussed how the birds came to her and how she was able to save the two owls. The children were scientists for a day, learning where owls live, how much they weigh, and what they eat. They also learned that owl pellets are vomited by the birds and include the fur and bones of the animal the owl ate. The scientists, ages 3 and up, walked to their laboratories (the educational and museum section of the barn) to dissect owl pellets. Bird skulls, vole bones, mouse bones, and mole bones were found in the pellets.
The program is part of the Village of Deer Park’s Leave No Child Inside initiative developed by the Vehe Farm Foundation. To see what LNCI programs are being offered in your community visit www.funoutside.org. This event was supported in part by Lake Zurich Dentistry, Tallgrass Restoration LLC, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce, McGinty Bros, and Harris Bank.
