Recently someone suggested a single letter change in a news headline.
For those more interested in outside activities than watching American football, move a single letter and it becomes ‘Superb Owl Day.’
Manitoba has a variety of owls that both birders and non-birders might enjoy viewing. (And if February 13 is already past, don’t worry; any day will work.)
Some winters, and this seems to be one, southern Manitoba is invaded by snowy owls. Why they come in large numbers is not known for sure. Theories include: scarcity of food in the North; early and deep snows there; or an abundance of young birds due to a good summer.
From about Portage la Prairie east to the edge of the boreal forest, particularly south and west of Winnipeg, birders have been snapping photos of numerous snowy owls this winter. With snow blanketing fields, the camouflaged owls may be difficult to catch sight of, but take a drive along rural roads and watch hydro line poles and fence posts where they often perch while watching for prey such as voles and mice.
Because these owls come from the treeless tundra of the North, they are not often inclined to perch in trees. The whitest owls are usually mature males, while the speckled ones are commonly females or younger birds.
Of course, snowy owls are not the only owl species you might see. Manitoba has about a dozen owl species, many of which overwinter here. Time, luck and perseverance are needed to catch sight of these, but winter — with deciduous trees bare — can actually be the easiest time.
Sunny days can sometimes produce an owl sunning itself on a branch, so watch for them if you’re walking or skiing through forested trails. Since most of our owls are nocturnal (sleeping during the day and hunting at night) they may be motionless and camouflaged during daylight hours, so keep your eyes peeled. One clue to the presence of an owl can be crows or other birds making a loud fuss as they pester a sleepy owl to move somewhere else.
The great grey owl, although our provincial bird, is not easy to discover. It is most common in forested areas, particularly the eastern boreal forest, as well as Riding Mountain National Park. The large size of this impressive bird makes it easy to identify.
The great horned owl is probably the best known of our owls, particularly for its call. This owl begins nesting very early, so in winter their nighttime “Hoo, hoo, HOO, hoo, hooo” can signify birds communicating with a potential mate. In fact, they may be nesting by February.
Beside the snowy owl, the hawk owl is also diurnal (hunting in daytime). Birders report seeing these in the open areas around Oak Hammock Marsh. Other owl species are less likely to be viewed and may be harder to identify. The eastern screech owl can be in either a reddish-brown or a grey phase. A few Manitoba species — the burrowing owl, short-eared and long-eared owls — are migratory so will still be south in February.
For those with a real interest in owls, consider taking part in the annual ‘Nocturnal Owl Survey,’ run through Bird Studies Canada. During the last part of March and early April, volunteers conduct surveys where they listen for owls at night while following a pre-set 10-mile route.
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Remember, if you do locate an owl, do not approach too closely or disturb it if it’s resting or hunting, and especially not on a nest.
If you’re interested in owls, but not inclined to go looking, use the internet for a Superb Owl Day.
Try these pages:
