Rick,



I don't know that I can offer up much, other than to rant and rave about how
this species is in serious trouble in Washington.



You are not alone in having difficulty finding a Western Screech-Owl.
Looking at the historic CBC data for Washington, this species has been in a
steady decline for the past ten years. Last year was my first year in not
being able to find one for the Kitsap County CBC, despite having a record 25
owls for the count.



I did have my first for the year last weekend when a previously unknown bird
to me responded when I was calling for Saw-whet and Barred Owl. Screech-owls
will be going on eggs within the next two weeks, so they should be very
responsive at this time of year.



As to your specific questions, evening and the hour or two preceding sunrise
are usually very responsive times for screech-owl. They will often "stay up
late" and be calling when crows are just starting to become active. I have
heard them calling at most hours of the night as well.



The trick with playing a tape is to be patient. Volume doesn't seem to be a
factor, but screech-owls can be very slow to respond, and may do so very
quietly at first. The "bouncing ball" call can be very quietly delivered
and difficult to hear (at least to my ear). I generally call several
times, and then wait a minute or so before calling again, repeating this for
fifteen minutes. As a last resort, I found that playing a Barred Owl call
after attempting screech-owl to the point that I was willing to quit, will
sometimes produce a response from an otherwise silent screech-owl with its
"bark" or warning call. While not the bouncing ball call that most of us
enjoy, the bark at least lets me know that there is a screech-owl still out
there. Birds that give this call seldom come into viewing range.



As for locations, any location that holds a small open woodlot with flowing
water that doesn't hold a Barred Owl would be a good place to try. You
might try for a Spotted Owl while you are at it...



J. Acker

Bainbridge Island, Washington

owler at sounddsl.com



_____

From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Taylor
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 7:35 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Small Owl Problem



Tweeters,



I hate to admit it; but, I'm having an owl problem. My wife and I have been
quite unsuccessful at finding Western Screech Owl. We've been out a number
of times in the last couple of weeks in what look's like good habitat. So,
a couple of questions:

What time of night is best? (We've been starting about an hour
after sunset)

How loud and frequently should one play a tape?

Any good locations within about 50 miles of Everett?



Thanks,



Rick



Rick Taylor

Everett, WA 98208