Owl Update 8/7/2024

After experiencing a record month for juvenile Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) in July, August unfortunately began with a whimper. As those in the region know, August started hot and humid. The first three nights of the month produced just 11 juvenile NSWO. We figured the slowdown was a product of the unfavorable weather and hoped things would open up with a change in the weather pattern on the night of the fourth. Not only did they not pick up, but we went owlless on the nights of the fourth and fifth. Having worked 36 of the 37 nights this season, we are admittedly wearing down a bit physically and mentally. Those two nights without an owl did not do our spirits any good. Thankfully, we did get four owls last night, which picked us up a bit. Hopefully, things will pick up again. Regardless of what the rest of the season produces, it has already been successful.

Something that has us scratching our heads is that, although NSWO have been on the early side of their annual cycle this year, the juveniles are behind in their molt into adult plumage. We have only seen a few at the advanced stage of that molt that we expect to start seeing at this time of year. This has made us hopeful that they will continue in good numbers into the later part of the season. It’s not unusual to catch an NSWO in full juvenile plumage this time of year (see photo below), but it is unusual to catch so many so early in this molt.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl in full juvenile plumage banded last night. Photo by Chris Neri

Season Totals of Banded Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls: 490
Long-eared Owls: 12
Total Owls: 502

~ Chris Neri & Tim Baerwald
2024 Summer Owl Banders