I got up early before the Chilly Hilly bicyclists descended on the Island
and owled on the South end this morning. It was a spectacular morning to
be out early, with cool temperatures, scattered clouds, and a nice moon.
My first stop set the pace - a Northern Saw-whet Owl tooting upon my
arrival. That doesn't happen too often, as most of the Saw-whets here on
the Island will either leave or be nesting within the next two weeks.
Either way, they tend to shut down and no longer respond until next fall.
I think this bird may be a resident bent on nesting.

My next stop produced a Barred Owl that flew in silent in response to my
call. This bird was in a residential neighborhood, and I only went there
because a third grade girl in a class I did a presentation on owls to
last week said she had a Barred Owl in her neighborhood. She was right.

I found one pair of Barred Owls that were new to me this season, and my
calls set them off caterwauling. The property owners allowed me to put
up a nesting box for them. I had one other Barred Owl on Toe Jam Hill
fly in silent to my calls.

I had three additional Northern Saw-whet Owls at previous locations, the
last of which I saw fly in and then start tooting around 6:30 am. This
is really up late for this bird, as they usually shut down well before
first light.

I also had one Western Screech-Owl at a new location for me, that was
reported to me yesterday. This is really good news, as the species has
been increasingly more difficult to locate on the Island. I believe this
has to do with the number of Barred Owls that are now present. I think I
have at least nine pairs of Barred Owls this season.

All told, 4 Barred Owls, 4 Northern Saw-whet, and 1 Western Screech-Owl.
A great way to start the day.

Jamie Acker
Bainbridge Island,WA
BiOwler1 at juno.com


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