Owls
In The Park
Observations - 2009, April
Summary
- Lots of activity but not enough time to document everything - I hope to update the remaining April information (from 16th to 30th) when time permits.
April 2 - Eastern site active.
Once again I visited the eastern site around dusk. This time approaching from the more wooded side. After waiting until the light had almost completely failed I heard some very soft calls coming from the tree and shortly after both owls flew out and over my head. I then left them in peace and fumbled my way out of the area.
April 5 - Southern owls active.
Monica reported seeing the southern owls active around their territory in the afternoon.
I was surveying other areas in the park - including Brocton Point, which shows some indication of owl activity. Pellets and lots of feathers - though the pellets are much degraded and possibly not from a Barred Owl - Great Horned perhaps?
April 6 - Owls sighted in Eastern area.
Dalyce reported her first independent owl sighting at the junction of South Creek and Wren trails (within the eastern pairs territory). Congratulations Dalyce! Dalyce normally leads the Heron monitoring - which, with over 100 nests, keeps her quite busy! Check them out too - lots of nesting activity now (near the Parks Board office). There is some uncertainty as to the species - it could have been a Barn Owl (or a Screech-Owl), but we should probably assume it to be a Barred Owl.
April 7 - Southern Owl seen on trail.
Shortly after dusk (after watching my first Anna's Hummingbird nest) I saw one of the southern owls off Tatlow trail. This is part of their typical hunting area.
April 10 - Saw-Whet in the City?
Today I heard from Peter K. that he had recently seen a Saw-whet Owl in the Cole Harbour area. That makes at least three sightings in the last 8 months - the other two had to be rescued. Is this species becoming more urban?
April 11 - Southern Owl catches Douglas Squirrel.
While I was visiting O.W.L. with S.P.E.S (enough acronyms for you?) Jerry saw one of the southern owls catch a Douglas Squirrel in the Seven Sisters area.
April 12 - Southern Owl seen hunting on trail.
After visiting the hummingbird nest again, I once again saw the southern owl hunting off Tatlow trail (at dusk).
April 15 - Northern Owl seen near nest site.
Around dusk I arrived at the northern nest site to hear an American Robin giving alarm calls. Soon after I heard quiet "who" calls coming from the area of the tree and then an owl flew out of the area, northward across a trail.