How to Find an Owl
| Trip leaders: Gregg Petersen & David Cummings Recorder: Laura Wolf Photographer: Gregg Petersen |
Date of trip: February 8, 2025 |
| Location: Howard County | Number attending: 28 |
| Details: A Search for Owls field trip led by David Cummings and Gregg Petersen for the Howard County Bird Club with focus on finding Northern Saw-whet Owls. Guests from Anne Arundel, Prince George, and Montgomery County attended. No owls seen or heard, but pellets for Saw-whet, Barred, and Great-Horned Owls were found. A total of over 30 pellets were collected. Callback of owl calls (NSWO, EaSO, BaOw, and GHOw) and mobbing calls used as part of the event. Due to many NSWO pellets (7) around tree, probable roost site in eastern portion of White Pines to the south and east of the parking lot. The exact location of owls in always a sensitive topic. | |
Canada Goose 8
Hooded Merganser 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 1
Great Horned Owl (2 pellets >4″ found, contents appear to be Cottontail Rabbit remains)
Barred Owl (several <3″ x 1″ but >;2″ pellets found. Contents included bird crop, Vole and Shrew jaws)
Long-eared Ow (2-4 <2″ x 1″ but > 1 1/4″ pellets found containing shrew skulls)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (9 1 1/4″ pellets found included 7 found around probable roost White Pine with minimal whitewash. Contents included shrew jaws (minority/uncommon prey)
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 4