Something extraordinary happened on our farm that I couldn’t wait to share with you.
A creamy-colored barn owl with dark eyes and a graceful, floating flight has been hunting in our pastures. At first, we didn’t think much of it—after all, it’s called a ‘barn owl,’ so it seemed perfectly at home here. Susie was the first to spot it hunting one cloudy evening, and we’ve been woken up by its unmistakable shrill call echo through the front yard many a night. But when I casually mentioned it to my old college biology professor, he excitedly shared with me just how rare and special this bird is in Minnesota.
Barn owls have been documented in MN very rarely the past ten years. Their numbers have declined drastically as old cattle barns, open prairies, and pastures have disappeared. To think that our little throwback farm—farming the way our grandparents did—is providing a safe haven for such a majestic creature is humbling.
This got me thinking about the beauty of God’s creation and how much we can do to preserve it. Every field, every pasture, and every tree on our farm is part of a greater ecosystem that supports life. Even the small ways we care for our land—like rotational grazing and keeping pastures diverse—help creatures like this barn owl survive and thrive.
As we care for these birds, we also reflect on how they care for us. Barn owls eat hundreds of mice, providing a natural form of pest control! Every creature God has made plays a role in this beautiful, interconnected world.
Would you like to help? A wonderful opportunity to support local birds like this barn owl is going on now: The Christmas Bird Count.
The CBC is an annual citizen science event where everyday people like you and me count birds in their area. This data helps scientists track bird populations, understand environmental changes, and protect species at risk. Participating is simple, rewarding, and a great way to deepen your connection to the natural world.
You don’t need to be an expert or even own binoculars. Just step outside, look up, and take note of what you see. Who knows—you might spot something extraordinary in your backyard, just like we did on the farm.
God’s creation is awe-inspiring, and we’re invited to be stewards of this beautiful gift.
I hope this story encourages you to pause, look around, and take part in preserving the wonder around us.
With gratitude,
Leah and the Matzke Family
Great Heritage Farm
P.S. Interested in joining the Christmas Bird Count? Learn more here. Every bird counted makes a difference!
