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OWL MONITORING PROJECT

Northern Saw-whet Owl

The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a nocturnal owl species with a large breeding range that includes the boreal forest that surrounds Lesser Slave Lake. The breeding density within the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is currently unknown, although Northern Saw-whets are confirmed breeders in the area.

Many banding stations across Canada are now monitoring the fall migration of the Northern Saw-whet Owl. The methods used to capture the owls are simple and have good results.

One of the primary questions of the Northern Saw-whet Owl project is to monitor the migratory population of Northern Saw-whet Owls along the northeastern shoreline of Lesser Slave Lake. Nightly banding and observations will be used during the fall to determine long term population trends. Data gathered through banding will provide further insight into population demographics and biometrics of the owls.

Education is the secondary focus of this project. Owls are an incredible medium to teach the public aspects of bird biology, conservation and the role of bird banding.

View YouTube video on owl banding