Boreal Owl Study
Year 12by Dan Hartman
March 1, 2021
March 1st!Not only have we entered a month when we could possibly receive our Covid shots, it's the start of my annual Boreal Owl Study.
Hard to believe it is year 12, as it began in 2010.
Having 11 years behind me gives me some idea of what to expect when Cindy and I go out tonight.
As you can see the snow depth seems to determine probability of hearing boreals singing.
2010 23" 4 calls 2016 30" 4 calls
2011 42" 0 calls 2017 34" 0 calls
2012 37" 4 calls 2018 43" 1 call
2013 25" 1 call 2019 42" 0 calls
2014 42" 0 calls 2020 33" 5 calls
2015 36" 2 calls
So it appears snow levels above 40" is the kiss of death for courting then nesting boreal owls. You'll notice 2013 and 2017 had low snow levels but had drought the previous years which means no prey.
Last year had a great start but quickly went south as snowstorm after snowstorm soon raised the snow level to 4 feet and silenced the owls.
Also as the boreals go seems to reflect the type of year I'll have with great gray owls and pygmy owls. We had a pygmy owl call at the cabin last week.
So now we are sitting at 33" of snow and are following a decent year for moisture. On top of that, the ten day forcast has mild temperatures which should mean sinking snow. I would expect a good night of owling ahead.
To be continued........
Photos
BOREAL OWL