Owls
In The Park
Observations - 2009, May
May 1 - Northern Owl roosting. Eastern activity.
Late afternoon (around 4pm) I visited the northern nest site on my way back from photographing the Eagle nest at Merilees (they have 2 healthy eaglets in their nest). A Barred Owl was sitting on a branch just above and to the left of the nest cavity - one of its favourite spots from last year. I did not stay long as I was planning to spend some quality time at the Eastern site. There (at the western observation point) I was rewarded by some of the longest vocalizations I have ever heard. This started at dusk with single who calls from the eastern side (behind the tree, from my viewpoint). Then full calls from somewhere in nest tree, followed by an owl flying away (east) a short distance and out of sight (but still quite close). That is when the long series of long who, who, whoers calls began. They continued, on and off, for several minutes. At one point I became concerned that my presence may have somehow caused this, so I left the immediate area and returned to the main trail (animal welfare always comes first). However, as expected (from previous experiences) this had no effect upon their behaviour. The sequence eventually ended with a couple of more distant, single, who calls. The later, I am learning, usually signals the departure of an adult for hunting - ending the conversation.
May 2 - Eastern Site active again.
I visited the eastern site again tonight, at dusk - this time from the eastern observation point. Well of course most of the calling activity was on the western side this time. I did get a brief glimpse of an owl then a few full calls and the usual single who calls signalling the end of the session.
May 3 - Southern Owl calling on Tatlow.
Near dusk I was returning from the Merilees eagle nest via the northern owl site (nothing seen there) and then via Tatlow to the southern owl site. On Tatlow, approaching Seven Sisters I encountered an owl making the full who-cooks-for-you calls (a few times). It then flew off along the trail westward (towards the western owl territory).
May 4 - Western Site active.
Today I decided to visit last year's site for what I have been calling the "southern owls". I had been convinced that they had moved to the east of their territory, but with activity at both sites I am now convinced (mostly) that we actually have four active sites. This is largely a result of today's visit to the western site. Arriving about 7:15 I was treated to a couple of single who calls from behind me (to the east) and shortly after saw an owl fly high overhead and directly into the nest cavity! The weather was deteriorating and I had to leave earlier than planned, so I missed any subsequent action. No photos. So from now on I will call this the western site - I will also edit my old observations to reflect the name reassignment. It does not actually affect much - I have yet to document last year anyway!
May 5 - Western Site active again - border patrol?
With mixed weather (sun and light rain) I managed to visit the western site again tonight. Arriving slightly earlier than yesterday, it was longer before I heard a call. This time it was 2 sequences of who-cooks-for-you (about a minute apart). The calls came from very close to the nest tree. I was unable to locate the exact location - neither were the 2 crows on the top of the tree. They may have been distracted by the eagle on the top of a neighbouring tree. That eagle was later joined by another amid calling. They stayed about 20 minutes before heading east overhead. I finally left the owl site about 20 minutes after sunset. Just as I was approaching the 2nd Beach parking lot I heard single whos coming from the location I had just left. These calls continued but appeared to be heading east. They changed to full calls as the bird headed further east - towards the southern territory. It would have been interesting to be on the border (wherever that is).