Chris and I are very happy to be back here at WPBO for our 13th and 16th springs, respectively…good grief, that is a long time! Anyway, this year there is quite a bit of snow in the woods, leading us to believe that it is still winter as we click into our skis & snowshoes each night. If you come to visit us, please bring spring along with you, it would be much appreciated. So far this season, we’ve managed to band 32 Northern Saw-whet Owls, despite quite a few nights of windy, rainy, and snowy weather. We are hopeful that once the weather warms up a bit next week, we might see more owls coming through. We had our first visitor of the year, who was lucky enough to see not one, but two owls. For those of you who are planning to visit the banding this year, please note that we have made some changes to the schedule for visiting the owl banding lab. Visitors may observe owl banding on Friday and Saturday evenings from dusk to midnight, weather permitting (rain, snow or wind will cancel the banding). Beginning at the end of April, the Owl’s Roost Gift Shop will be open on select Friday and Saturday evenings as well. Owl banding takes place at the Point between March 15-May 31, July 1-August 25, and September 15-October 31. If you have a large group (5 or more), please call (517) 580-7364 or email events@michiganaudubon.org to make arrangements.
Nova Mackentley & Chris Neri
