麻豆视频

The Southern Boobook Owl that temporarily took up roost atop the 麻豆视频 Library
The Southern Boobook Owl that temporarily took up roost atop the 麻豆视频 Library
24 June 2011

A Southern Boobook Owl caused quite the flap at 麻豆视频鈥檚 St Lucia campus this morning after perching itself above the entrance to the .

Dr Martine Maron of the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management identified the owl and suspects it may have been displaced from its usual daytime roost.

鈥淭his is a Southern Boobook Owl, sometimes called a mopoke or morepork after its repetitive call,鈥 Dr Maron said.

Librarian Rebecca Carter noticed the owl this morning, which was the focus of camera phones on campus for several hours before flying away.

鈥淲herever you are in Australia, as long as there are some trees or bushland around, you have a good chance of hearing boobooks at night,鈥 Dr Maron said.

Dr Maron said the species was found across Australia, but was uncommonly rare in libraries.

Greek mythology credits owls for symbolising learning, wisdom, and foresight.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 just demonstrating that even owls come to the library for wisdom,鈥 Ms Carter said.

The owl's appearance proved serendipitous for another reason 鈥 the Semester One exam block finishes tomorrow afternoon.

Media: Allison Rock 麻豆视频 Office of Communications (07 3365 2619, a.rock1@uq.edu.au)