PROPOSAL FOR NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL MONITORING ON BIG CHICO CREEK ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

Principal Investigator: DAWN GARCIA

Date of proposal: September 2005

Unlike the well documented fall movements of the Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) in the eastern states, seasonal movements of the owls are relatively undocumented in western North America . However, 924 Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) were banded during the fall (15 Sept. to 10 Nov.) of 2002-2004, at Rocky Point Bird Observatory at the southern tip of Vancouver Island . Four of these birds were recovered in different areas in Washington State , suggesting some of the birds are moving south. It is possible that there is a similar fall movement of NSWO in the mountains California .

Currently the NSWO is considered “relatively uncommon” and is known to be present on the property, likely during the breeding season when it is most vocal and easiest to detect. To determine if NSWO are present and are moving through the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) property during the fall season, I propose to establish a NSWO monitoring site in a forested portion of the property. The project will be considered a trial in 2005 and depending on the success of the trial, a more complete proposal for additional monitoring will be developed. This project agrees with the first stated goal of the BCCER to “Protect and monitor on-site natural resources.”

Methods

We will use the protocol as suggested by Project Owlnet (see http://www.projectowlnet.org/netproto.htm). Essentially, a mist-net array of between 4-8 nets will be erected in a forested portion of the property. A tape recorder broadcasting the solicitation call of a NSWO will be used lure the owls into the nets. All captured birds will be banded, measured, and aged and sexed where possible prior to release. Nets will be open a minimum of four hours beginning a ½ hour after dusk, approximately two nights per week from mid-October to the end of November.

• The project is not funded however most equipment will be provided by the CSU Chico. The station will be run by a varying number of volunteers, with at least one licensed bander in attendance.
• Alternate forested areas may be used if the initial location captures few birds although all sites will be relatively close to the road for access to a vehicle to haul equipment and act as a processing station.
• Net poles and rebar could be stored at the banding site, and most other equipment stored at the barn depending on the proximity to the banding site.
• Damage to vegetation will be minimal, vegetation will be cleared or cutback in a narrow swath where nets are erected.
• Capture results would be submitted to BCCER by December 31, 2005.

See Birdbanding Results