Rachel Fiegley with the Great Grey owl mount. The largest owl in North America, it weighs over two pounds with a four foot wingspan. They are few in number and a species of concern.
An owl prowl was held Saturday, March 4 by Rachel Fiegley for Clearwater Resource Council (CRC). A brief explanation of owl behavior and Montana owl species at the CRC office was followed by a moonlit walk from River Point Campground to observe owls. The owl prowl was the sixth CRC nature walk program, which started in 2020.
"We want to help people get out onto the public land in the area," said Fiegley, former Forest Service District Ranger and Wildlife Biologist. "That way they can hopefully develop a familiarity and passion for the land."
The 15 species of owls found in Montana was described via powerpoint to the 21 participants.
Montana is home to 15 of the 19 owl species found in the United States. Owl posters showing the Montana owl species as well as a mounted great grey owl and a northern saw-whet owl were at the CRC office to view. The most likely owl species to see around Seeley Lake are; western screech, northern saw-whet, boreal, northern pygmy, great grey, barred and great horned owls.
Owl identification is based on nine points, said Fiegley; the presence or absence of ear tufts, body size, eye and bill color, plumage coloring and any distinct markings, the time of day the owl was seen, hunting behavior, habitat, distribution and the type of vocalization.
For example, great horned owls and long-eared owls are similar in appearance, yet great horned owls have vertical markings on their front and long-eared owls have vertical markings.
Participants experienced a sample "call-back" survey as carried out by the Forest Service biologists to detect owls in areas being assessed for vegetative management. After leaving River Point Campground, the group walked one-half mile to the first stop. The group was silent for three minutes while the forest was viewed for any flying owls, then the call of a great grey owl was played, followed by three minutes of quiet observation and listening, the call was repeated and another period of silent observation.
This pattern was followed for three stops, listening for great horned, barred and saw-whet owls. However, none were observed or heard.
Surveys are done 30 minutes after moonrise on nights with at least a half-moon, and completed 15 minutes before sunrise. Late winter is a good time for owl surveys because it coincides with owl breeding seasons.
"The Owl Prowl was successful from the standpoint of providing some information about our local owls and getting folks out in the woods," said Feigley.
"The beautiful moonlight walk almost made up for not seeing any owls!"
CRC will post the next nature outing information on their website.
The saw whet owl has been seen recently in the Seeley Swan area, according to fieldguide.mt.gov, but not during the owl prowl. It is a 7-8 inch tall owl, weighing 3-4 ounces.
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