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PROJECT OWLNET�

1995-2023

MIKE QUINLAN

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PROJECT OWLNET GOALS

  • Support expansion of network of NSWO banding stations
  • Advocate use of standardized, comparable netting protocols
  • Increase and improve communication among project coordinators and banding stations across North America

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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL���

Aegolius acadicus

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Habitat: Prefer mature forest with an open understory for foraging, deciduous trees for nesting, dense conifers for roosting, and riverside habitat nearby.

Food: mostly small mammals; common prey are deer mice and white-footed mice, During migration may supplement their diet with birds and may eat insects.

All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, www.allaboutbirds.org

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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL

Range: Forests across southern Canada and the higher elevations of the northern and western United States, extending through central Mexico. 

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All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, www.allaboutbirds.org

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EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

  • 4 x 12m mist nets, 36mm mesh
  • Game caller with NSWO call
  • Bands and banding tools
  • Check nets hourly
  • Remove any owls, place in soft cotton bags, and take to Plummer House to process
  • Place band securely, weigh, measure wings, evaluate molt limits
  • Record all data
  • Release banded owls behind the Plummer House

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NSWO BANDED AT JUG BAY�BY SEX

SEX

‘95

‘96

‘97

‘98

‘99

‘00

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘07

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘16

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

’21

‘22

Total

F

3

​

4

3

27

4

8

13

7

2

3

1

1

12

​

18

2

​

1

1

110

M

14

​

1

​

5

​

1

1

​

​

​

​

​

2

​

2

1

​

​

1

28

U

18

1

3

​

10

​

3

4

​

​

​

​

3

3

​

4

​

​

​

1

50

​

35

1

8

3

42

4

12

18

7

2

3

1

4

17

0

24

3

0

1

3

188

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HOW SEXED

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NSWO BANDED AT JUG BAY�BY AGE

AGE

‘95

‘96

‘97

‘98

‘99

‘00

‘01

‘02

‘03

‘07

‘10

‘11

‘12

‘16

‘17

‘18

‘19

‘20

‘21

‘22

TOTAL

HY

14

​

5

1

38

​

8

9

4

2

2

​

1

13

​

19

1

​

​

​

117

AHY

6

​

3

2

3

​

3

​

1

​

​

​

​

1

​

1

​

​

​

​

20

SY

​

​

​

​

​

4

1

6

2

​

​

​

1

1

​

1

2

​

​

1

19

ASY

​

​

​

​

1

​

​

3

​

​

1

1

2

2

​

3

​

​

1

2

16

U

15

1

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

16

​

35

1

8

3

42

4

12

18

7

2

3

1

4

17

0

24

3

0

1

3

188

HY – Hatch Year

AHY – After Hatch Year

SY – Second Year

ASY – After Second Year

U - Unknown

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AGE DETERMINATION

SECOND YEAR (SY)

SECOND YEAR (SY)

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ENCOUNTERS-FOREIGN RETRAPS��BANDED BY US

    • 7 Nov 99 (RF), AHY/F - Ridgely, MD, 6 Nov 00, 42 mi.
    • 8 Nov 99 (RF), HY/F - Hidden Valley, PA, 9 Mar 00, 114 mi.
    • 7 Nov 16 (GNP), HY/F - Williamstown, MA, 18 Oct 17, 326 mi.
    • 7 Nov 16* (GNP), HY/F - Carsonville, PA, 5 Nov 17, 117 mi.
    • ** - King’s Gap, PA, 7 Nov 21*, 95 mi.
    • Read - Banding date (Site),Age/Sex – Recapture location, date, straight line distance between stations
    • * Station longevity record
    • ** same owl

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ENCOUNTERS-FOREIGN RETRAPS��BANDED ELSEWHERE

  • 23 Nov 07 (GNP), HY/F - Lamb’s Knoll, MD, 28 Oct 07, 67 mi.
  • 6 Nov 16 (GNP), SY/U - Media, PA, 28 Oct 16, 104 mi.
  • 5 Nov 21(GNP), SY/U - Toronto, ON, Can., 17 Oct 21, 357 mi.
  • 8 Nov 22 (GNP), HY/F - Lusby, MD, 29 Oct 22, 27 mi.

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    • Read - Banding date (Site), Age/Sex – Recapture location, date, straight line distance between stations

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ENCOUNTERS-DIRECT RECOVERY

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  • 27 Oct 99 (RF), HY/F, remains found on Sanctuary, 7 Jun 00

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  • The only injury or fatality that we are aware of involving a bird we banded.

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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL�2023

  • Operated 20 nights (through 16 Nov)
  • Generally ½ hour after sunset to midnight
  • 4 nets at the Preserve
  • 200 Net hours
  • 4 owls banded

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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL 2023

  • Band No. 0924-02711
  • 1100 pm, 2 Nov 23
  • After Hatch Year (AHY)
  • Wt. 90.8 g
  • Wing 141 mm
  • Female

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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL�CONCLUSIONS

  • We confirmed the presence of NSWO at the Sanctuary.
  • Owls probably use the Sanctuary to overwinter each year.
  • Our results are generally lower than other stations in the Mid-Atlantic.
  • The present location is productive and we will continue to use it.
  • We have contributed important data about the timing and routes of NSWO migration.
  • We have added to the knowledge base of population demographics such as age and sex.
  • We will be back next year!

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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL 2023�RECOGNITION

  • Thanks to the Friends of Jug Bay and Superintendent Pati Delgado for financial support and permission to use the Preserve and Plummer House as our banding station.
  • We couldn’t do it without the dedication of our team of volunteers who operate the station: Master bander Danny Bystrak, Mike Quinlan, Alan Christian, Kyra Harvey, and Jeff Shenot.
  • Our appreciation to the visitors who come out and keep us company and never complain, despite many unproductive net checks.