Curious: Anyone notice the "Owls" at the pools?
 

Never seen them before, but there are plastic owls stationed at the pools. They are overlooking the edge of the pool everywhere. I like them but curious as to why they have appeared. Perhaps to discourage birds?

It could be. Some pools have a LOT of birds around them all the time..I don't know why. The one near Lake Miona seems to have a lot of birds.

I have an unsettling feeling this may be a new poop thread.

If enough people give a hoot, it will be a thread. :)

What pools?

they scare away birds and rodents

It does upset some hawks.
 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86nyuFyGRM]Hawk attack on plastic owl - YouTube[/ame]

Amusing video of plastic owl vs. hawk.
 

You never think hawks are exactly smart.

I remember first noticing them about 5 months ago around some pickleball courts. I believe they are there to deter other birds the area.

Maybe to discourage snowbirds???

The owls have built in radios that play "Who" songs and drink dispensers that dispense villagers Kool Aid.

Snowbirds
 

I get upset when negative remarks are made about snowbirds. Seasonal residents, snowbirds and even the renters (via the landlord) are contributing to the amentity fees each and every month even when there is no one there using any of the amentities. I'm a seasonal resident for about 5 months and so my assessments paid help keep your costs down. I think you should be grateful that we're not there all the time and appreciate us a little more.:spoken:

Are you sure they're not little old men watching the ladies?

Wow
 

Guess you just can't even joke with some people

I don't think it was meant as a serious comment.....I'm sure just joking. We love snowbirds. Most of us were snowbirds ourselves at one time.:)

Keeps snakes away too!!!!

At one of the pickleball courts (I think Odell) a somewhat confused mockingbird spent the entire two hours that I was there attacking the owl. The owl has a bobble head that moves back and forth. He was relentless!...and not very bright.

These owls have been around for years. They are not working very well at the older pools where the birds get so use to them. The owl at Bonnybrook has bird poop all over it.
The one at Lynnhaven had a group of ducks knock it into the water. The one at Tall Trees had a bird sitting on it. !!
There's lots of stories but these owls have become a joke and friend to many birds.:)

From time to time(not often) a snake will show up in the adult pools so their not scaring snakes either.

Correct....They've been there for quite a while. They are there to keep the bird population down.

I have a blue heron decoy close to my lawn pool to keep ducks from the lake on the golf course from crossing the street to muddy my lawn water feature. Has worked for over a year where previously I had a problem.

They may deter some birds, but certainly not mocking birds. There was a real owl on our neighbor's roof and a mocking bird kept swooping in and attacking it.

You are absolutely right! :welcome:

...

:agree:

Sounds like the lawn ornament police may be dispatched to move the owls. Just kidding so no negatives please!

MORE POOP threads!

but yes, the owls are to discourage birds from nesting in the pergolas and eves of the buildings. I have seen them in peoples yards too.

My mother used to have a sparrow who insisted on starting a nest right next to her front door in the light fixture. She put up a plastic owl, and it worked!

:pepper2:

I don't think mockingbirds are known for their intelligence!

ok, I guess it's time for something more animated......maybe a robotic owl!

.....AND ...... they are the "official" State Bird of Florida......Hmmmm!!!???

They really work good. Lots of birds fly in to the pools for a drink, even saw a bird sitting on one of the owls. Only takes a couple weeks and it becomes part of the scenary and don't work at all.

Yes, to keep the birds away.