Encounters with owls
Amanda Markle
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve
(12/2021) Strawberry Hill is currently home to six different species that make up our Animal Ambassador program, and from toad to turtle (and even cockroach), each has its charms. The Animal Ambassador program supports our mission of inspiring stewardship of the natural world by allowing audiences to meet up-close animals that we share our community with.
Research shows that educational animal programs connect with audiences on an emotional level, and that educating people about these animals can create a lasting sense of connection with nature. That connection and understanding of the natural world, in turn, inspires attitudes and behaviors that support conservation and responsible use of natural spaces. All the animals in our program are an important part of the story of our local ecosystem, but the animal that most often inspires a true sense of awe is our barred owl, Strix.
It’s not hard to understand why seeing an owl up close is a thrill for many people. Being mostly nocturnal, with very effective camouflage, seeing an owl in the wild is a rare occurrence. Physically, there are so many striking elements that make up an owl; the enormous eyes, the powerful talons, the dense coat of feathers. Strix came to Strawberry Hill after being found injured in Michaux State Forest, presumably after being hit by a car. Strix was cared for by a rehabber, but his injuries caused permanent feather damage to one of his wings. He can fly, but not far enough to hunt effectively and survive in the wild, and was deemed non-releasable.
Strix is allowed to live at Strawberry Hill under an educational use permit, meaning that our staff is required to include him in a certain number of educational programs each year. Of all the animals that are a part of our ambassador program, Strix requires the most specialized care, the most training to handle safely, and the most expensive food (almost 1,000 mice a year!), but the investment of time and resources is worthwhile. Owls are a fascinating and unique part of our ecosystem and tell us a great deal about the health of our environment. Holding a spot at the top of the food chain, they act as an indicator species; declining owl populations can indicate chemicals or other pollutants entering the system lower down.
Some owl species only thrive in specific habitats, the loss of which due to foresting or development can quickly decimate a population. Maintaining a robust local owl population is beneficial not only because they are a fascinating species to share our community with; they are great pest control as well. A single family of barn owls can eat over 3,000 mice a year. Having an owl as part of our Animal Ambassadors program leaves a lasting impression on our audiences, allowing us to educate people about these amazing creatures, and what we can do to protect them in the spaces we share.
Strix is a barred owl, one of the most common owl species seen in our area, but there are seven other species keen observers might have a chance to see locally. The smallest is the northern saw-whet owl; a shy and tiny species only standing around 6 inches tall. Another small owl, the eastern screech, can be found in our area in both reddish and gray color morphs. Their name is misleading; a screech owl call sounds much more like a whinny than a screech. Long and short-eared owls measure in around the size of a crow, and are also somewhat poorly named; the tufts of feathers on the tops of some owls’ heads are not ears, but rather protrusions of feathers that they can move to help them blend in amongst tree branches.
Barred and barn owls can both be found in our area, though barn owls are seen far less frequently and, due to habitat loss, local populations are declining. Barred owls are seen and heard far more often, with their distinctive call sounding like an inquiry of "who cooks for who?" Barred owl populations are rapidly growing in more western areas of the country where they are considered an invasive species out-competing the northern spotted owl. Some areas have even enacted controversial culling programs to slow their spread. The largest owls one might find in our area are the great horned, whose call is closest to the classic "hoot" most expect from owls, and the snowy owl, who are generally found in the tundra areas of the north and around the Great Lakes, but can very occasionally be spotted further south.
For those seeking an owl encounter in the wild, learning owl calls can be the most effective way to locate them. Except for the snowy owl, owls in our area are most active during the dark of night when visual identification is challenging, and they camouflage and hide incredibly well during the day. There are ways to find an owl’s favorite haunts during daylight hours. The first is to know what sort of habitat to look in. While each species has its specific preferences, many owls prefer to live in areas with dense forests for nesting and open fields for hunting. Barn owls do indeed frequent old barns, as well as hollow trees; barred owls love forested areas near a water source where they can find amphibians to hunt. Once you’ve identified a potential habitat, look for signs of owls; feathers, pellets, and owl "whitewash"- thick, white owl dropping that collect on tree trunks like melted wax.
Once you’ve identified an area with owls present, you can return at dusk to start looking for active birds. Many species of owl breed in the winter and will be much more vocal during this time. Owling can be a rewarding and adventuresome hobby, but there are several ethical considerations to keep in mind. Always give owls space, and only visit nesting spots once every few weeks- any more frequently and the owl may feel threatened and abandon its nest. Use calls sparingly, especially during mating and nesting seasons, when owls need to focus their energy on finding a mate and protecting their young (and never use calls in national parks, where playing recorded calls is considered harassment of wildlife and can incur hefty fines).
Spotting an owl in the wild is a thrilling experience, and there are things we can do to help protect populations in our area. Build nesting boxes on your property, especially if you live near open areas where owls like to hunt. Whenever possible, use traps to deal with rodent problems instead of poison, which kills owls due to bioaccumulation. Never throw food out the window of your car, where it will attract rodents, and subsequently owls to roads where they all too often get hit by cars. If you don’t have luck finding owls in your neighborhood, we invite you to join us at Strawberry Hill for one of our nighttime Owl Prowl Hikes, or an Animal Ambassador program. Owls are some of the most amazing creatures with which we share our environment, and the more we learn about and understand them, the better we can protect their populations.
