As part of an ongoing study, Bird Studies Canada is looking for the help of local birders to track Short-eared Owls on their Ontario wintering grounds. Southern Ontario hosts a number of owl "hotspots", such as Fisherville in Haldimand County, which regularly records the most Short-eared Owls in North America during their Christmas Bird Count. Though some well-established winter roosts are known, identifying further areas that support large concentrations of wintering owls will help direct future conservation efforts.
We are looking for Short-eared Owl sightings including the following information: - Observer name - Date and time of sighting - Habitat (grassy field, pasture, marsh, etc.) - Number of birds seen - Behaviour (flying, perching, hunting) - Detailed location of sighting, including nearest town We are also looking for people to periodically monitor at known roost sites. If you see a Short-eared Owl, would like to participate in roost monitoring, or would just like some more information, please contact: Hazel Wheeler Project Biologist, Bird Studies Canada [email protected] 1-888-448-2473 Ext. 165 http://www.birdscanada.org About Short-eared Owls The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is classified as a species of Special Concern both provincially and federally, and has suffered extensive population declines over the past 40 years. Destruction of native grasslands appears to have caused historic population declines throughout its North American range, while continued habitat loss further threaten the population. Short-eared Owls are nomadic, wandering extensively within their breeding and wintering ranges hunting for food, which makes population monitoring very difficult. A greater understanding of habitat use and selection, including identification of areas that support large concentrations of breeding and wintering owls, is necessary to appropriately direct future conservation efforts. For more information, visit BSC's Short-eared Owl website at: http://www.bsc-eoc.org/research/speciesatrisk/seow/ **************** This email has been approved by the ONTbirds coordinator _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
