“Sunbreak welcomes a Burrowing Owl as the newest resident of Bedrock Vineyard, the 152 acre, 150 year old vineyard we manage. Uncommon to this part of Sonoma Valley, he is living in a small pipe through the levee of a reservoir and has a separate burrow at the base of an ancient Zinfandel vine. He will probably migrate by the middle of March to breeding grounds, maybe as far away as Idaho. In the meantime, Bo Diddley (our rescue lab mix dog) is taking walks in a different part of the vineyard.
The Audubon Society has identified more than 30 different birds here, from Acorn Woodpeckers to Yellow-rumped Warblers. However, this may only be half the birds that live on the property or pass through.
In addition to the highlight of stumbling on our Burrowing Owl during the 2013 Bird Count, Bedrock’s reservoir is a haven for wildlife. Egrets and Herons and even the occasional River Otter fishes for dinner here. Red-winged blackbirds nest in the cattails around the edge in the late winter and Dragon and Damsel Flies swoop around on hot summer days. The bluebirds and swallows who nest in dozens of songbird houses in the vineyard come in for water and catch flying insects as well.
The pond is just part of the vineyard’s vibrant agro-ecosystem. Three tree-shaded creeks are significant habitat and corridors. Cover crops and flowering insectary plantings help provide resources for beneficial insects. Barn owl boxes in the vineyard and perches for the hawks help keep the gophers and voles from damaging vines. Coyotes, foxes, and a few bobcats also do their share of hunting and help keep the gophers down to a manageable level.
Vineyards are not just about grapes. They are part of nature’s diverse system.”
~ Diane Kenworthy and Robert Burney
Thanks to Cathleen Francisco for fine photo of our owl