Where do you find owls?

Thebirds · **Posted:** May 09 5:55 pm

Hey I love Owls and i would really want to go see one and maybe get a photo of one. Where can i usually find them. Is there a common place or are they pretty rare.

Thanks

taniab · **Posted:** May 15 1:34 pm

I'd like to know, too

Keithmac · **Posted:** May 15 4:16 pm

This is the time of the year that is probably the easiest to find an Owl. There are lots of birds nesting and Owls like to raid these nests, look and listen for birds like Robins and Crows making lots of noise in an area that would be good for nesting. When an Owl is near the nesting birds they mob the Owls trying to chase them from the area. Owls are not easy to see because they blend in so well with the surroundings so you have to take your time and look very carefully at every tree looking for a shape that doesn't belong. Owls are generally nocturnal so in most cases they will be roosting in a tree during the day. Most of the Owls that I have found are in heavy forest settings but I have also found them near marshes when there are lots of nesting birds. I found a Barred Owl this morning roosting in a willow tree 20 feet off a trail in one of our local marshes. A group of about 20 cyclists stopped to watch him and he didn't move.
Lot's of luck, after you see your first it will be easier because you will know what you are looking for.

Indy · **Posted:** May 15 7:22 pm

You are so right Keith about the sounds. We have lots of barred owls here on Gabriola and a couple of years ago I lived right in the forest and if ever I heard the robins making a ruckus I would just go outside and follow the sound and then watch for the dive bombing and there would be my owl.

Thebirds · **Posted:** May 15 8:05 pm

Can you find them say at Maplewood Flats or someplace like that where more humans come or is it more deep in the forest?

Keithmac · **Posted:** May 15 8:39 pm

I am not really familiar with your area as I am on Vancouver Island, but I find the forested areas to be better areas for Owls, but after saying that I have even seen them in town around small parks as well.

katherine · **Joined:** Jan 18 6:32 pm **Posts:** 267

You can find owls in trees. :lol:

stickman · **Posted:** May 31 8:16 am

There are a number of Barred Owls in Pacific Spirit Park at the moment. I was riding my bike through the trails and noticed the Robins going nuts last week. I stopped to look around carefully and spotted 3 of them.

I went back for a walk last night and saw 2 more. If you walk up & down the trails between Spanish Banks & 4th you have a good chance of seeing them. There are several young ones about that make quite a unique, high-pitched hissing sound which is a give away.

PhotoTrip · **Posted:** May 31 4:07 pm

Would like to take a look. Julian, do you mind letting us know which trial you are referring to.
Attached is a link to the trial map http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/map ... ritmap.pdf

stickman · **Posted:** May 31 11:32 pm

Hi Agnes,

On both occasions I saw the owls along trail 23 between Marine & 4th.
Good luck!

PhotoTrip · **Posted:** Jun 01 7:24 am

Thank You

pyrelus · **Joined:** May 09 11:08 am **Posts:** 129

try listening and looking around camosun bog, i found barred owls there. But i have also found them at the UBC campus, so keep your ears peeled.
Around trail 25 i saw a Great horned owl once.
keep on walking those trails.

good luck

Thebirds · **Posted:** Jun 01 6:25 pm

where are these trails??

anneh · **Joined:** Jul 08 9:37 pm **Posts:** 10

Barred Owls - mom and two fledglings on the "private road" on the south side of the lake.. it was the strange little sucking noise/whispery-screeching (almost hawk-like sound) that caught my attention - I thought it was some rambunctious squirrels.. but it was mom feeding her babes.. just a few days ago..

Lee Sollenberger · **Posted:** Jul 18 5:07 pm

Where to find owls, this is where I have looked all my life..

Public parks:sit and scan the trees, this may take several visits.

Cemeteries: this is a great place as they have trees and many species of owls nest in cemeteries..Also accipiters love cemeteries..Cooper's Sharp-shinned hawks.

Burns Bog: Horned owls, Barred owls and Saw whet, screech owls also..

Logging roads look for small groves of conifers..

Old barns and abandon buildings, Get permission to investigate first..Barn owls.

Streets with large trees with fields near by.Hunting in the city..

Cliff faces house Horned owls at times, as they will nest in pot holes on a cliff face..

Along stream beds and nature trails..At the bottom look for castings..(pellets)

Hope this will help you..My experience is look where you might think an owl would roost and investigate..Ask hikers on trails "Have you seen or heard any owls here ever"

most owls roost next to the tree trunk, and will blend right in..Look and listen..and remember owl are silent on the wing.

Good Luck
Lee Sollenberger

Where do you find owls?

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