It’s hard to believe how quickly the end of the season is approaching. Field seasons often have a weird time warp to them. It can feel like the start of the season was ages ago, while at the same time feeling like they passed in the blink of an eye. This season feels like that to us right now. The last week has been fairly productive for late May. The long-eareds, unfortunately, really turned off abruptly, with only one being banded since our previous post. Thankfully, the Northern Saw-whet Owls have remained steady, albeit in relatively low numbers. We had a chance of breaking the record for the total number of owls banded in a season at WPBO this spring. However, we’re currently 48 shy, and with just four nights left in the season, it seems unlikely at this point. To date, we have banded a total of 1,328 owls; 845 saw-whets, seven boreals, 464 long-eareds, and 12 barreds. We have also caught 69 previously banded owls. The saw-whet in the banner at the top of the page is one we banded last spring on May 23 and just recaptured on May 23 this year.
We naturally consider saw-whets to be one of the cutest birds on the planet. At this time of year, they are regularly molting the feathers on their legs and feet. We are reminded every year in late May that it is all about the feathers. They’re quite ugly under those feathers, as you can see in the photo below.
A Northern Saw-whet Owl molting its feathers on its legs and feet.
Warm temperatures on some recent nights have brought lots of amphibians out and onto our trails. We have to stare at the ground to avoid stepping on them constantly. Complicating that situation the last few nights is that we recently saw a black bear walking our trails. Now it is, look down for frogs, look up for the bear, look down for frogs, look up for the bear. Thankfully, we have not seen it again.
An American Toad.
2021 Spring Owl Banders
Chris Neri & Nova Mackentley
You can read Chris and Nova’s weekly blog post and follow WPBO’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for owl banding highlights this season.
Owl Banding Presentations — We apologize, but live education demonstrations of our owl banding program will not be offered in 2021 due to COVID-related risks and restrictions.
If you visit WPBO, please practice social distancing while doing so. Although not required, we encourage you to wear masks if you are in close proximity to other people, even if outdoors. You may read the full 2021 COVID-19 Updates for Michigan Audubon and Whitefish Point Bird Observatory here.
Celebrating Spring Migration at Whitefish Point — A Webinar Series
Owls of Whitefish Point
May 6 | 7 p.m.
Would you like to learn more about the owls at Whitefish Point? Join us for a presentation by Owl Banders Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley, who introduce the ten species of owls seen at the Point, explain the banding process, and review data collected over the years. Their wealth of knowledge about the owl banding history at WPBO is enlightening and inspirational! Please note that Chris and Nova’s presentation is prerecorded (they are in the middle of their banding season, after all!). We will have other avian experts and WPBO veterans on hand to answer your questions about these wondrous raptors and how banding supports avian research efforts.
This event is the first in a four-part series of free webinars celebrating spring migration at the Point and highlighting WPBO research programs.
