[Birdtalk] Re: [Birdnet] Northern Hawk Owl

[Mark Stackhouse]

Thanks for the answers - this is really helpful. Given your 
information, I think we can narrow the options a bit.

I think the various responses have done a good job at listing the 
possibilities - thanks, Kevin for bringing up Wilson's Snipe, an 
obvious possibility that had been overlooked in our myopia due to "owl 
focus."

Here's my take on this mystery given the new information:

Northern Hawk-Owl - I think we can dismiss this one entirely, given its 
range. This location would be much farther south than any Rocky 
Mountain winter records of which I'm aware, and a breeding-season bird 
would be even less likely. Cliff Weisse, who I saw yesterday afternoon 
(yes, the Hawk-Owl is still there - and beautiful - only one owl left 
for me), told me there is at least one record from breeding season in 
northeastern Idaho, but I would doubt that the bird nested or called 
much - though I certainly don't know for sure. It's almost impossible 
that there would be multiple individuals of this species calling at 
this location.

Boreal Owl - This is also not a reasonable possibility, given the 
season, the habitat and the multiple birds present. Boreal Owls call 
mostly from late February through very early April, so they would be 
through calling by the time Connie heard these calls. The elevation is 
too low for this species, and the type of habitat seems wrong, at least 
for nesting season. Also, supposedly Boreal Owls have quite large 
territories, which would make multiple calling birds at one location 
unlikely.

Northern Saw-whet Owl - There's been lots of discussion over whether 
the call of this owl is similar enough to qualify. But I think the 
habitat and season make this one an unlikely choice. It seems a bit too 
low, and not forested enough, for prime Saw-whet habitat - though it 
would be possible. Most Saw-whets I've heard call mostly April to 
mid-May; I've rarely (never?) heard them calling into June (though I 
have heard them to the last part of May). They should be calling most 
vigorously before late April.

Western Screech-Owl - Although this was my first choice initially, and 
I think the habitat/elevation is best for this species (the presence of 
cottonwoods is especially good), there are several things that make me 
less inclined for this species. One is the season - again a bit late 
for prime calling time, though it would certainly be possible. The 
other is that only one of the calls of Western Screech-Owl is similar 
to the described calls, and this call is not the most common 
Screech-Owl call. With multiple birds present, I would expect other 
calls to be heard frequently as well.

Wilson's Snipe - I think this is the most likely, though there are 
problems with this possibility as well. The "call" (actually made by 
the tail feathers as the bird makes a shallow dive about 50-100' above 
the ground) of a "winnowing" snipe is perhaps more similar to the 
Hawk-Owl or Boreal Owl call than either Saw-whet or Screech-Owl calls. 
In addition, there's no doubt that they are abundant in the location of 
Connie's cabin; the nearby meadows and fields are perfect habitat. The 
season is also perfect - the sound of multiple winnowing snipe would be 
ever-present in that location at that time of year. The fact that the 
calling birds seem to move around STRONGLY suggests snipe, as most 
small owls are not that mobile while calling, but call repeatedly from 
the same place for a long time. It's one of the frustrated aspects of 
trying to call them in with a tape - they call back continually, but 
never move (as in come closer). Snipe are "calling" in flight, and so 
are constantly moving about, though they return frequently to winnow 
over the same place. The sound of a snipe is also difficult to pinpoint 
- as the birds are above us, and the exact direction deceptive. The one 
thing troubling about this option is that they do winnow frequently in 
the evening and morning hours as well as at night. But the competition 
of other sounds, including other bird calls, during the daylight hours 
would make the sound of a snipe much less noticeable.

Not a definitive solution, but maybe getting closer?

Mark Stackhouse
mark at westwings.com
801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico)

On Nov 14, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Connie McManus wrote:

>
> Mark and all birdnetters,
> I am posting this to the list because Mark brought up some good points 
> concerning the location of my cabin with regard to the owl mystery.
>  
> The cabin is located in the meadow just below the A-framed realtors 
> shack and the elevation is approx 6500 -7000 ft.  There is an 
> intermitten run-off stream that flows past the cabin during the spring 
> (dry the rest of the year).  The forest is mixed but is predominantly 
> scrub maples and junipers with some aspen and fir.  Further down the 
> meadow is a stand of old cottonwoods and aspens. Down hill from the 
> cabin is mostly meadow area and farm lands closer to Garden City.
>  
> There seem to be more than one bird that calls, one calls from across 
> the Logan Cyn  Rd and the other will call from the hillside next to 
> our house, then they fly off a ways and call from different 
> locations.  There are also other owls ( i.e. the Saw Whet Owl? and 
> Great Horned) that will also call.  These calls are heard from late 
> April to mid June, always after it is fully dark. It seemed to be 
> fairly close (approx 0.2 mile or less from the cabin). 
>  
> that is as much info as I can think of at this time that might be 
> helpful.  And yes, I am really enjoying all the conversation about 
> this bird. It is marvelous!!  I am planning spring and summer birding 
> goals for next spring thru summer and this is one on the list. 
>  
>
>  
> On 11/14/07, Mark Stackhouse <westwings at sisna.com> wrote: Hi Connie,
>>
>> I'm sure you're enjoying the great deal of discussion over your Garden
>> City owl just as all of us are. There are some great ideas out there,
>> and all of them are plausible. What would probably help most in this
>> puzzle right now is some better information about your cabin's 
>> location
>> and environs. I'm familiar with the cabin area above Garden City, and
>> realize that there are cabins in various locations, with different
>> vegetation/habitat types nearby. Could you give me, or post to
>> Birdtalk, some idea of what kind of surroundings your cabin has?
>> Specifically:
>>
>> Do you know the approximate elevation of your cabin, or how far above
>> Garden City it was? Garden City is at about 6000 feet, the summit 
>> going
>> into Logan Canyon is 7800 feet.
>>
>> What sort of trees are near your cabin, especially, are they 
>> evergreens
>> or broad=leafed, such as aspen or cottonwood?
>>
>> Is there a steam near your cabin?
>>
>> Are there any meadows or hay fields or wetlands/ponds nearby?
>>
>> And finally, questions about your owl - did it seem to move around, or
>> call from the same place? Did it seem to be close by or farther away?
>> Did it call during the twilight/dusk, or only after fully dark?
>>
>> Sorry about all the questions, and knowing the answers won'
>> definitively solve this puzzle, but will help greatly in trying to
>> figure out which answers are most likely.
>>
>> Thanks for the great exercise!
>>
>> Mark Stackhouse
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