The first Long-eared Owl of the fall season. Photo by Sarah Montalvo
Howdy! Since our last update, we’ve banded 50 more Northern Saw-whet Owls, with our best night of the season being 22 in one night. There’s been a late flight with northern saw-whets that still have juvenile plumage the past couple of days. We’ve also banded five more Barred Owls and got our third species of the season, a Long-eared Owl! We’re in high spirits that more Long-eared Owls will visit us soon.
On Saturday night, we had visitors from Michigan Audubon’s Fall U.P. Birding Tour. It was great getting to meet everyone, and we were all ecstatic when we caught a Northern Saw-whet Owl while visitors were still up at the Point. Visitors are always welcome to visit the Banding Lab on Friday and Saturday nights from dusk to midnight throughout the season.
It’s been a great second week at Whitefish Point. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season!
Season Totals of Banded Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 80
Barred Owls: 6
Long-eared Owl: 1
Total Owls: 87
~ Sarah Montalvo
2023 Fall Assistant Owl Bander
Featured photo: Northern Saw-whet Owl banded at WPBO. Photo by Sarah Montalvo
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.
The fall owl banding season runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 31.
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.
