I had probably one of the best experiences ever owling on Saturday morning,
midnight to sunrise, though I did miss BARN OWL.

My night started out with a responding Northern Saw-whet Owl in my backyard
at 0005, which turned out to be one of 14 that I detected, an all time
nightly high for me.



My results:



Weather /Temperature : 30 - 27 degrees, clear skies, no wind/ precipitation

Miles traveled: 46.7

Hours Owling: 6.5



Species:

NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL 14

BARRED OWL 8 (I also had my
local female the evening before)

WESTERN SCREECH-OWL 1

GREAT HORNED OWL 2

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL 1



I made 24 stops at various locations that have been productive in the past,
with three stops repeated in an attempt to detect either BARN OWL, GREAT
HORNED OWL, or a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL. In 2 out of three stops, the return
trip paid off. I also had 3 stops that produced two species - Saw-whet and
Barred Owl.

Saw-whet owls were everywhere and responsive, if no more than a quick chirp
to let me know they were around. I only had one male respond back by
tooting, which is disproportionately low to me, though I didn't dwell at
stops very long after detecting an owl.



Other highlights include 3 meteors, and three locations for calling coyotes,
including one pack of 4-6.



Thoughts on CBCs and Owling:



It seems very arbitrary to me that we start the CBC "Day" at midnight. It
makes no sense, other than as a means of convenience. For most CBC
participants, it really doesn't matter, because the bulk of participants do
so during daylight hours only.



However, for owlers, it splits the "Day" into two different nights, which
can be very different in terms of weather conditions, which in turn can
affect results.



Presently, owling data is not analyzed in terms of owling effort by the data
base. That is, the numbers and species will show in the data base, but as
to "number of owls per party hour", this information is not calculated in
the graphical analysis of the data base that can be accessed.



In an effort to provide "better" data, I would propose that the CBC be
conducted in terms of "Sunset to Sunset", or "Sunrise to Sunrise" in the
anticipation that someday the owling data will be incorporated and analyzed.



Thoughts from others are welcome, though I realize that the possibility of
changing an established international event is near nil.



-Jamie



J. Acker

Bainbridge Island, Washington

owler at sounddsl.com