The night in early January is chilly. It’s dark enough to admire the canopy of glittering stars overhead, yet there is enough light from the quarter moon to see the trees and the stone road we travel on without a headlamp. When we settle in and my host starts calling in the owls, I have to stay put, so I dress warmly in a down jacket and long underwear.
I’m going owling, and I don’t want the owls to avoid me because I’m fidgeting.
The process of calling and looking for owls is known as “owling.” Sean Grace, the president of the organization Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, will be my guide tonight. Having spent his whole childhood practicing owl sounds, Sean is a remarkable naturalist.
Since Sean lives close by and knows the birds in his neighborhood, we are beginning our nightly journey on the dirt roads around the county park Leaser Lake, at the foot of the Blue Mountain.
According to Sean, there may be four distinct owl species in the woods this evening: great horned, barred, saw-whet, and scream. Although they are not very common, saw-whet owls, long-eared owls, and snowy owls all travel through this region of Pennsylvania and breed here. Although they are less common, short-eared owls are also present.
There isn’t any wind, the branches aren’t colliding, and it’s a really tranquil night.
Sean looks up at the sky, and I follow suit, waiting for a shape to slide in. According to Sean, you frequently see them before you hear about their near-miss since they frequently enter quietly for a better look. When an owl flaps its wings, its wide wings and unique flying feathers reduce noise.
Sean advises me to open my eyes and not concentrate on just one item. It’s known as owl vision, and it’s similar to what hunters do when they stay motionless for a long period and survey a wide area.
Although it adds light, moonlight is not required for owling, and winter is not the only season to visit; however, owls are more likely to be seen or heard during the winter mating season. Additionally, it is easier to observe the owls because there is less greenery.
Sean murmurs, “You start by calling the smaller owls first.” When a huge owl is called first and a little owl is around, the small owl will keep quiet to avoid being eaten.
A higher call and a lower cry are the two primary calls of screech owls.
In no time at all, one of the scream owls that Sean calls in answers. Then someone else from a different direction starts answering as well. He keeps calling, and each time they answer, the volume of his call increases. It is roughly a quarter of a mile away.
Out of the thick woodland, an eastern screech owl appears to enjoy the moonlight.Getty Pictures
It’s important getting to know the night raptors in your neighborhood. Many owls are accustomed to human activity and will call if you’re strolling through the neighborhood park. Even if parks are closed after dark, you can still spot owls by using our numerous state gamelands or the neighboring country roads or parking lots.
To increase your chances of calling owls at night, you might start looking for them during the day. Whitewash, or owl feces, on tree trunks is one of two clear indicators of activity that exists in a certain area of forest. It is typically found at the base of an owl’s roost tree and is chalky and white. Owl pellets, which resemble compressed hair and have an oblong form, can also be found near the base of trees. Small pieces of indigestible hair, bone, teeth, claws, or feathers from an owl’s food will remain within when you break it open. The owl regurgitates this indigestible substance because it is too harmful to go through the rest of its digestive system. Additionally, search for huge, extremely soft owl feathers with ragged edges that may be found on the ground.
Look for owls up in the trees because they don’t construct their own nests but rather occupy others. Smaller owls frequently use tree cavities made by Pileated Woodpeckers or those that exist naturally, whereas larger owls will use crow and red-tail nests. Sean claims to have observed small scream owls sitting in a hole with sunlight shining on their faces. Here, a pair of binoculars is helpful. Return at night to check if the owl is active if you discover any signs.
If you want to visit nearby parks or trails, which may close at night, the hour before sunset is a perfect time to go owling. Keep an eye on their schedule for public programs, since many nature centers, conservancies, and state parks host Owl Prowls throughout the year. The staff members there are also excellent sources of information and have extensive knowledge of the local owls.
Sean and I visit a few different places, but he can only successfully summon several scream owls. He suspects this is because the barred and great horned owls are already sitting on their nests and he was unable to get them to respond. In the night woods, screech owls continue to be highly vociferous even after mating.
Knowing what the owls are doing at a given time of year will help you avoid disturbing them needlessly. Before you leave, practice and pay attention to owl cries. In particular, barred owls answer calls, even if they are unpleasant! Just bring your detective abilities, a sense of adventure, and keen eyes and hearing.
IF YOU GO: There are two owl-related activities coming up at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, located at 1700 Hawk Mountain Road in Kempton.
An introduction to the birds that defend farmlands against pests is provided by Fantastic Farmland Raptors. The hours are 1-2 p.m. February 23. Members can pay $5 or $8. There will be American kestral nestboxes for sale. It is necessary to register.
Owl Prowl Runs on March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will learn about owls and their calls from Dave Kruel, who will also lead a search for owls on the Sanctuary’s grounds. $20 or $10 for members is the price. Bring a flashlight or red-light headlamp. The event is restricted to 16 individuals, and registration is needed.