This week was unexpectedly productive after experiencing a particularly disappointing stretch of owl migration prior to our last blog post. As we looked at the extended weather forecast as we wrote last week’s blog, it looked like we would be lucky to get even one night of banding in this past week. Not only was the forecast mostly inaccurate, but the owls were moving in those unexpected windows of calm weather. We banded 114 owls this past week, including 65 on April 24. The highlight was the arrival of the season’s first Boreal Owls. Boreal Owl numbers at WPBO (and other long-term banding stations) have plummeted during our time here. Even before their decline, we felt incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with these amazing owls; that feeling has only grown deeper with each passing year. To date, we have banded 209 Northern Saw-whet Owls, five Boreal Owls, 83 Long-eared Owls, and six Barred Owls. Additionally, we have caught 21 previously-banded saw-whets.

Northern Saw-whet Owl (left) & Boreal Owl (right).

Voles are closely associated with the northern forest owls. Every time I see one here, I think of Boreal Owls, Great Gray Owls, and Northern Hawk Owls. Sitting on my deck after a night of banding a few days ago as the sun rose, I enjoyed watching this red-backed vole gathering nesting material in our backyard.

Red-backed vole.

In addition to the owls, many of the amphibians we have here, particularly the mole salamanders, emerged this past week. Blue-spotted and spotted salamanders were in full swing. The first few eastern newts, spring peepers, wood frogs, green frogs, and one four-toed salamander also made appearances.

Spotted salamander.

– Chris Neri & Nova Mackentley
2022 WPBO Spring Owl Banders