Viewing Snowy and Short-eared Owls at the Point

Nova showing Saw-whet & Boreal Owls to attendees

Our annual Spring Fling was held this past weekend, and the owls came through. Our nights were productive and many people had the opportunity to get close up looks at some of the 18 Saw-whets, 14 Boreals, and 5 Long-eareds banded this weekend. As we were giving the morning owl program on Saturday Andy radioed that a Snowy Owl was at the tip. It was amazing how quickly people forgot about the Saw-whet and Boreal we were showing them and raced out to see it, some people I'll tell ya. Actually we were right there with them. As we were watching the Snowy, a Short-eared Owl began flying around the tip and gave everyone nice looks as it came back up the beach. The Snowy spent the day out there, albeit mostly hiding behind a log, and at least 2 Short-eareds were regularly seen patrolling the Point for much of the morning.

We would like to give a big thanks to this year's Spring Fling attendees. Their generous pledges to this year's upcoming WPBO staff birdathon doubled last springs results. These pledges support the summer owl banding program we began in 2006. As long as we do our part on the birdathon, their pledges alone will fund 1/4 of this summer's research! We simply could not continue this project without the financial support of our members. We thank all of you who visited the banding, and/or attended our program on WPBO's owl research. Your enthusiasm and support are greatly appreciated.

Sarah & Great Gray Owl

Last year we had the pleasure of being visited by the wonderful young lady in the above photo. Sarah and her parents visited again a couple weeks ago, and we once again fell in love with her. She was hoping for a Boreal, but unfortunately had to settle for a Great Gray on the first night, poor thing. Obviously she was extremely happy about the Great Gray, and got her Boreal on the 2nd night. If ever we have met an owl researcher in the making, Sarah is it!

Lots of Long-eareds

A very buffy female Long-eared Owl

We're busy getting geared up for the big Spring Fling weekend, but the Long-eareds don't care. The Saw-whets and Boreals have continued to trickle, but the Long-eareds were a big prescence last night and we banded 35. With a northwesterly wind blowing, 17 of these were caught throughout the night in one isolated net out on the bayside of the Point. Thirty five Long-eareds is a big number as far as banding is concerned, and they made for a busy night.

Despite it being a rough schedule for us, we are looking forward to the weekend. Spring Fling is our biggest annual event, and is a significant fundraiser for WPBO. We're hoping the Long-eareds continue and that this weekends attendees will be treated to some great evening flights, and some close up experiences with owls we capture for banding. We would like to send out an advanced thanks to those planning to attend this weekend. Your support is greatly appreciated! Check the website for program schedules and details if you are considering a last minute decision to join us.

With the exception of Long-eareds, things have slowed down a bit. During the last three nights we've banded 12 Saw-whets, 3 Boreals, and 43 Long-eareds. The Long-eareds put on a nice show last night. They were regularly being seen in the lighthouse beam, and we had one catch a songbird in flight right over us right as they were lit up by the beam. The weather has shut us down tonight, and it looks like it may do the same tomorrow night.

Andrew had a Snowy out at the waterbird count today, and it was joined by a second after we made it out there. They eventually drew the attention of a couple Ravens. The paler bird was more bothered, and allowed a Raven to flush it out over the Bay before it returned to the beach. The more marked, and larger bird was not in the mood to be mobbed. It faced off with the Raven, and was regularly hopping up to strike at it with it's talons. The Raven wisely thought better of the situation and after a few minutes left it alone.

More Big Owls

Great Horned Owl

Things were once again interesting at the Point last night. Along with 16 Saw-whets, 1 Boreal, and 4 Long-eareds, the 1st Great Horned and 3rd Great Gray of the season were banded. In addition to the 16 Saw-whets that were banded, 2 previously banded birds were also captured. The forecast for tonight looks promising, but if the forecast is correct things may slow down a bit the rest of the weekend.

Big Owls

Great Gray Owl

Adult male Long-eared Owl

Diversity has picked up, and 6 species were seen last night. Great Grays have been seen the last 5 days, including one found on the owl road yesterday, and our 2nd of the season banded last night. A Great Horned has been hanging around the parking lot the last two nights keeping us on our toes. We've also seen Barred Owl back in the net lanes the last two nights. Long-eared numbers have been extremely low, but a beautiful adult male last night was the third of the spring. Boreals have become more steady, and 8 have been banded since our last post. Saw-whets have also remained steady, but similar to results last summer and fall there have been very few young birds captured and numbers are down. While the recent weather has not been particularly bad, the forecast for the next two nights look ideal. Thanks for the birthday wishes on the last post.

1st Great Gray Owl on Chris's Birthday!

Great Gray & Boreal Owls

Great Gray release

We banded the 1st Great Gray Owl of the season last night. One was also heard calling a few nights ago, but who knows if this is the same one. While Great Grays have been seen every spring that we've been here, spring 2006 was the last time one has been banded. We also heard the 1st Great Horned Owl of the season two nights ago. Believe it or not, of the 9 species of owl that occur here Great Horned may be the hardest to find. The banding has picked up the last 3 nights with 46 Saw-whets, 11 Boreals, and the Great Gray being banded. We also recaptured a Saw-whet that was banded here last spring. The Boreal we banded on March 22 was also recaptured. It was still and good shape and had even gained 9 grams. On a personal note, my birthday happens during the spring season, and I have been treated to some great birthday nights at Whitefish Point. On my birthday in 1999 I caught my first Great Gray at the Point. As last night's Great Gray, along with a couple Boreals and Saw-whets, was caught after midnight I'm having another special birthday at the Point. Plus, Nova and I didn't even have to argue over who got to band it. We'll see what else happens before midnight tonight, but I'm already happy.

You know it's going to be a good night when you catch 5 owls on the first net check! Things are finally looking up. The low pressure system has finally left us, and despite the slight NE wind, owls are moving. This evening we were treated to a spectacular full moonrise over the lake, complete with little blinking red lights on either side from the windmills. ahh, technology. Anyway, it is currently 4am, and we have banded 34 Saw-whets, 4 Boreals, and our 1st Long-eared of the season. Spring is on the way- what a relief!

Here is our sleepy hawk counter, John, with our first sleepy Boreal of the evening.

The wind shut us down early tonight. We have captured several owls in the last few nights, but there has not been any large movement since the 2nd. This weather system with cold north winds and below freezing temps is making it difficult! The snow is melting, but it is a slow process. We (the entire staff) is eagerly awaiting some above 40 degree weather with south winds!

1st push

Boreal & Saw-whet Owl

Some unsettled weather made for a few slow nights, but we finally had some southwest winds and owls were moving last night.
Thirty Saw-whets and 2 Boreals made for a productive night, and put us over 100 owls on the season. It looks like some more bad weather could shut us down again for a few nights, but hopefully the owls will be moving again after this system blows through.