Well, we never got the late-season push of Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) this spring. We think it was one of the slowest ends to the spring season we’ve experienced; we’ll see once we enter the data. Adding insult to injury, the mosquitoes the last few nights were the worst we have ever experienced in the spring. In most springs, we get through the season before the hatch, or at most, with only a slightly annoying level of mosquitoes on the last couple of nights. It was also an unusually cold May, and we effectively went from winter gear to bug shirts within two nights, ugh. At least we had a longer than usual period between the time we had to ski or snowshoe and the mosquitos’ arrival, a period we always acknowledge and appreciate. The two highlights of the final week of the season were the banding of a final Long-eared Owl, a straggler that showed up nine nights after their migration otherwise ended, and the recapture of an NSWO that was originally banded as a juvenile at WPBO in July 2021. We always love getting recaptures, but there is admittedly something special about getting a return visit from one of our summer juveniles.
A Northern Saw-whet owl originally banded at WPBO as a juvenile in July 2021. Photo by Chris Neri
Thanks to all of you who visited this season. We know that not all of you got to see owls, but your interest is appreciated. To those lucky enough to see an owl or more, your excited responses always make us smile. We also enjoyed visits from fellow field staff Waterbird Counter Alison Vilag and Raptor Counter Jess Consentino. Thanks also to all of you who showed your support by engaging in WPBO’s social media posts — your likes, comments, and shares are genuinely appreciated. Most importantly, thanks to all of you who make this research possible through your financial support. It indeed would not be possible without your generosity.
Season Totals of Banded Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 608
Long-eared Owls: 154
Boreal Owls: 2
Barred Owls: 18
Total owls banded: 782
Season Totals of Recaptured Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 49
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.
