Some of OC’s youngest residents are investigating the local wildlife through free monthly talks at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach.
In February, it was barn owls.
Times before, it was Mountain Lions, Bob Cats, Turkey Vultures, Sneaky Sting rays, and more.
Editor’s note: This is an occasional series where Voice of OC works with local community photographers to offer residents a first-hand look at the local sites and scenes of Orange County.
The barn owl event drew about 40 participants, many of them families from across the county.
“It’s important to get them outside and into nature, just exposed to it—fostering curiosity and sparking interest in the kids,” Emma Arago, 26, resource specialist that leads the talks put on by OC Parks.
Families received an in-depth lesson on how barn owls care for their young and digest their food.
Arago selected the barn owl for this month’s program because of “their heart-shaped heads,” which she said gave children an easy entry point to learn more about the species, using a taxidermied owl.
Families also learned that barn owls share a home in Orange County.
“They can be found at many OC parks, and while it’s typical to see them nesting in the spring, it’s not uncommon for them to nest year-round, even in the winter months,” Arago said.
Attendees learned about barn owls as natural predators, sparking awe, fear, and curiosity in the room.
“Barn owls are known for being quiet hunters. The soft feathers on their wings reduce noise when they fly, allowing them to quietly sneak up on their prey. Their large eyes also help them spot prey from far away or in the dark,” Arago said.
Parents and children also got a special up-close look at owl pellets.
After learning that owl pellets are undigested fur and bones from their prey, most of the children grimaced. Arago also read the children’s book Little Owl, led an age-appropriate hike around the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, and collaborated on an owl-themed craft.
The hour-long event brought some familiar faces, while others were first-timers.
Jessica Fang, 34, brought her son, Leo Fang, for the first time after finding the event on the OC Parks website.
Fang said they “had no idea what to expect.”
Arago said the program is effective in helping kids retain what they’ve learned.
“I’ll do turkey vultures in April, and then someone will come back in May. We’re talking about something totally different, and on the hike they’ll point and say, ‘Turkey vulture!’” Arago said.
You’re like, yeah, actually, I wasn’t expecting you to be right. That’s cool—to feel like you made that happen.
