fun two owl species night!
We caught and banded two different species of owls last night. Since this project is about studying the migration of the Northern Saw-whet Owls, we obviously did catch one of these fuzz balls. If you would have told me a month ago that I would still be catching so many of these owls this late in the season, I would have just shook my head and smiled. Once again, there is still a great deal that needs to be learned about these owls! About 10-15 years ago we didn’t even know that Saw-whet Owls migrated, yet alone realize how common they really are.
Didn’t I mention that I caught two different species of owls?? Sometimes you “JUST” have a feeling that there are birds around. I had this “feeling” on my midnight check last night. I walked to the end of the nets – with no owls. Turned around and started walking back with a larger bird which I spooked and it flew right into the nets. With my mind started thinking quickly, “no way is that a saw-whet”, then “could it be a Long-eared Owl”??. Ok, I did hear one in 2004 vocalizing around the nets but someday my dream might come true that we’ll catch one! This time it was the turn of the Eastern Screech Owl (gray phase). Although they are commonly heard around the house, I have never heard one vocalizing way up the hill where the nets are located. This was an absolute surprise and a first for the project. I do hope in the future that these birds decided to use my nest boxes that I have placed back behind the house. It has been 3 years now and I probably should choose a better location which would be less interesting to the starlings.
Screech Owls do come in two color phases. The gray phase is the most common color phases but on occasion, we do encounter the red phase. About two weeks ago; one of the maintenance guys (for the museum) brought me a dead red phase which was located along the road here in Red House. They said they had a small brown owl and my first thought was “Saw-whet”! But this bird did turn out being my first red phased Eastern Screech Owl that I have encountered here in the park in a very long time. It was a sad find but also an interesting find.
Winds are picking up this evening and I plan on staying open as long as possible without having to close. I do anticipate this might be my last evening unless the weather man is wrong with his predictions for the rest of the week. Winds are picking up, bad weather is approaching quickly and the moon will be getting brighter and higher in the sky every night. It has been a wonderful season and it is very sad that this will be coming to the end soon. When I do finally call it quits, I will give an overall summery for everyone to read. Wish me luck tonight!
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Not only do I wish you good luck.. I wish you get many pictures to share with all of us.
25 November 2006 at 6:39 pm
All the best of luck winging its way (on owl wings) to you Tom!
Can’t wait to read your summary 😀
25 November 2006 at 8:09 pm
Thanks Dinali and Marg for visiting! I didn’t catch any owls this evening but I did have a Ruffed Grouse spooked me while opening the nets! If only I opened my nets quicker, then I really would have had something interesting to blog!
25 November 2006 at 11:20 pm
There’s always next year Tom, but I bet you’ll manage to get another night or two in this year. I have my fingers crossed for reasons of my own that the weather won’t start turning funky on us, but that’s another story. I hope to come banding with you next year though and will read your season’s end report when you post it.
26 November 2006 at 12:23 am
Great blog Tom! I see you’re into banding owls…I was a licensed bander in Australia back from about ’78-’92. Unfortunately I didn’t catch any owls but some of your pictures and stories bring back fond memories of banding at night (most of my night time mist-netting was for shorebirds).
Ironically, both my father (in Australia) and I (in the US) saw owls yesterday (his being a Masked Owl and mine a Great Horned) and now I read you’re doing a study on the Northern Saw-whet.
Good luck with the banding – keep your fingers away from all things sharp!
26 November 2006 at 8:19 am
Shannon – I have high hopes for next year and the predictions is that its going to be a big owl year! Crossing my fingers! I am concerned for tonight and other nights with the higher wind they are predicting although the sun and temps will be alright! Hope that snow doesn’t happen but will give it a try for the next few nights, but I think I know the answer on what I can or can’t do!
Matthew, thanks for such kind words on my blog! It is always fun to hear from wonderful birders (use to be banders) like yourself! Congrats on your Owl and I can’t wait to see the picture of the Great Horned once you post it!
26 November 2006 at 11:05 am