We’ve been able to band the last 17 nights, and things have really slowed down over that period. In the past week, we banded 18 Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO), eight of those were on May 20, and we got skunked last night for the first time since April 20. The Long-eared Owls just turned off abruptly, as they often do, and we have not banded any since the night of May 16. We still hope the NSWO will pick up again before the season ends, but there is no guarantee. In addition to owls, we caught a Sharp-shinned Hawk and another silver-haired bat this week.

The second silver-haired bat of the spring. Photo by Chris Neri

Spending the winters at Whitefish Point, then immediately entering the entirely nocturnal life of an owl bander, unavoidably results in us living six consecutive months of the year in relative social isolation. Despite the slow owl migration, it was an enjoyable week thanks to visits from former field staff, now friends. Former owl banders Ryan Steiner and Eliana Fierro Calderon stayed with us this week. Former waterbird counter/owl bander Tim Baerwald has made several visits this spring, most recently again this week. Former waterbird counter Scott Terry was also here this week. I can’t believe the season we did together, followed by a fairly epic road trip, was over 20 years ago. Frank Nicoletti also made a short visit to the owl banding. We were part of Frank’s banding team for four years at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, Minnesota. Former waterbird counter Karl Bardon was also here this spring. Karl was the waterbird counter when I first came to the Point in pursuit of a job as an owl bander in 1998. Between our seasons together, here and at Hawk Ridge, I think Nova and I have done around 10 field seasons with Karl. Having the opportunity to reconnect with these people at night, share memories and learn from the experiences they have had since we last saw each other always enriches a field season.

Season Totals to Date of Banded Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 574
Long-eared Owls: 153
Boreal Owls: 2
Barred Owls: 18
Total owls banded: 747

Season Totals to Date of Recaptured Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 44
Barred Owls: 2
Long-eared Owls: 2

~ Chris Neri & Nova Mackentley
2023 Spring Owl Banders

You can read Chris and Nova’s weekly blog posts and follow WPBO’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for owl banding highlights this season.

Owl Banding Presentations — Visitors may observe owls that have been banded on Friday and Saturday evenings from dusk until midnight. Please note that banding is weather dependent and it is at the banders’ discretion to cancel banding accordingly. Observation will be limited to outdoors only and we encourage participants to wear masks and continue to practice social distancing whenever possible. For the safety of the owls, flash photography and recording video is prohibited.