We heard an owl calling last night and the closest I can find to its call online is a Western Screech Owl. We have heard both Great Horned and Barred Owls at our place and it was neither. What are the chances of us having a Screech Owl here in Saanich?

Extremely good chance that is exactly what you heard. Nice find.

Deborah
Malahat BC

Thanks Deborah. We have lived here for 24 years and never heard or seen one, so I wasn't sure whether to trust myself!

Just out of interest--- what kind of call did you hear? Was it the "bouncing ball" song of a typical Western Screech-Owl or was it something else?

Cheers,

Russ Cannings
Burnaby, BC

Russ, I hope I can remember correctly since it was a while ago. It was pretty much like a bouncing ball although the rapidly "bouncing" at the end of the call wasn't as dramatic as recordings I have heard. But it did sort of speed up a bit and peter out at the end. It was definitely hoots, but nothing like GH or Barred, much more of a steady rhythm. I hope that is clear!

Thanks for that, sounds like a screech!

Russ

Yes I just heard a totally different owl just now here on Gabriola Island Where can I find a website with the owl calls. I want to try and identify this one.

Ken

This is a good site:

http://www.xeno-canto.org/america/

The probably species on Gabriola would be Barred, Great Horned, Northern Saw-Whet, and Western Screech-Owl, so start with those.

Cheers,

Russ Cannings
Burnaby, BC