Things picked up this past week after being in a serious rut during the last three weeks of July. Our nightly total from July 8 to August 1 never exceeded eight owls banded. Aside from the night of July 11, when we banded four juvenile Northern Saw-whet Owls, our nightly total for juveniles was at most three. Combined with the fact that we have not had a full night off since we started on July 1, this was really starting to wear us down emotionally and physically.
Although we received no physical relief this past week, it was the most productive week of the season giving our spirits a serious lift. We banded 60 owls this week, equalling half of July’s total. Among these were 59 juvenile Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO), more than doubling the season’s total of juvenile NSWO. We also banded the third Barred Owl (BDOW) ever during the summer season, the last being in 2011. This barred was also the first fledgling Barred Owl banded at WPBO, with lots of retained natal down and the blue pupils shown by very young owls (pictured below). Although BDOW breed in the general area, we have never had any evidence of them breeding in the immediate area around Whitefish Point. We would certainly hear them during the spring if they were here. Long-eared Owl numbers are low this summer, but we did band the first young of the year last night.
The third Barred Owl to be banded during a summer season at WPBO and the first fledgling. Photo by Chris Neri
I want to express my gratitude to my banding partner Jess Cosentino. Jess is leaving early to return to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for the fall season to serve as their count director again. This was his first nocturnal season, which is a challenge for everyone. To work for 39 consecutive nights while experiencing the challenges of sleeping during the day for the first time is brutal, but he powered through. I’m looking forward to welcoming Sarah Montalvo to nights at WPBO for the remainder of the summer season starting tonight.
Season Totals of Banded Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 167 (103 juveniles & 64 adults)
Long-eared Owls: 1
Barred Owls: 1
Total owls banded: 183
Season Totals of Recaptured Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 2
~ Chris Neri & Jess Cosentino
2023 Summer Owl Banders
You can read the owl banders’ 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. For the safety of the owls, flash photography and recording video is prohibited.
