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Phase
1:
Monitoring of Short-eared Owls in southern Ontario |
Purpose:
The Short-eared Owl population has been in decline over the
last few decades. It is a
species of Special Concern in Canada, and has recently been recommended
for the same status in Ontario. Very
little is known about the species’ movements and reproductive success in
Ontario. Such information is
critical in supporting future conservation and population management
efforts.
Objectives:
The main objectives are to document the nesting habitat
requirements, assess reproductive success, and track seasonal movements of
Short-eared Owl in Ontario and adjacent states and provinces.
In
summer, MRF aims to:
- Survey
historical breeding areas to identify the size and distribution of the
current southern Ontario breeding population
- Provide
written and photographic documentation of the habitat at all active
nest sites to allow for other potentially suitable habitat to be
recognized and protected
- Observe
nesting success and nestling mortality, where possible
- Equip
both adult and juvenile owls with leg bands for future population
monitoring
- Obtain
blood samples for contaminant analysis by the Canadian Wildlife
Service
- Engage
landowners in research activities and encourage stewardship actions
In
winter, MRF aims to:
- Survey
known and historical wintering areas to identify the size and
distribution of the current southern Ontario wintering population
- Equip
both adult and juvenile owls with leg bands for future population
monitoring
- Obtain
blood samples for contaminant analysis by the Canadian Wildlife
Service
Methods:
A key priority of this project is to annually locate active nest
sites. Experienced birders
from a variety of local and province-wide clubs and associations have been
asked to assist with this work, and a call for
volunteers has been issued. Observers are asked to primarily
survey areas for which historical breeding evidence exists, but are also
encouraged to search for Short-eared Owls in and around their own
communities if they believe suitable habitat exists in the area.
The
principal areas in which surveys have been targeted are Almonte (Lanark),
Navan and Gloucester (Ottawa), Rockland and Alfred (Prescott &
Russell), Alexandria and Maxville (Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry),
Wolfe Island (Frontenac), and Amherst Island (Lennox and Addington).
More limited effort has also been devoted to areas in southwestern
Ontario, especially along the Niagara Peninsula and in Haldimand-Norfolk,
but additional volunteer support in that area would be welcome to expand
coverage.
Once
active territories have been identified, MRF contacts all landowners
on whose property Short-eared Owls have been sighted.
Where permission is granted, MRF visits each of these sites to
provide the landowner with information about the Short-eared Owl, and to
conduct a detailed assessment of the habitat being used for nesting.
Where possible, MRF subsequently returns to active nests and attempts to
capture and band as many of the owls as possible for future monitoring. Blood samples
are taken from all birds caught.
The Canadian Wildlife Service will use the blood for contaminant
and biomarker analysis.
The
birding community is asked to contribute throughout the fall
and winter by reporting sightings of any banded owls, which will help
establish movement patterns and links between breeding and wintering
habitats. Further details on the
banding protocols used and observations requested will be posted on the
MRF website as the program develops.
In
winter, MRF and volunteers primarily visit sites at which Short-eared Owls
are known to congregate.
As logistics, funding, and weather constraints permit, individuals will again be banded for future monitoring.
Partners
and supporters:
MRF gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the TD Friends of
the Environment Foundation, as well as the contributions of the many
other partners and
supporters below who have made this project possible: |
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Click here for information
about Phase Two of the Short-eared Owl research program
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