Photo Credit: Jakob Dulisse. Photos may not be used without permission from www.jakobdulisse.com
Owl Nest Box Building Session Wednesday, March 10
See incredible photos and learn more about the local, endangered western screech-owl. Join us for a hands-on session and leave with a nest box suitable for local owls. $10 per owl box to cover materials. 7 p.m. at Blueberry Creek Community School.
This session is hosted by the FWCP with support from CBT and FortisBC.
Pre-register now. Be sure to tell us how many people will be attending and how many owl boxes you want to build ($10 fee for materials per owl box, payable at the door).
Let us know if you can bring a cordless drill.
Western Screech-Owl
The Western Screech-Owl (Otus kennicottii macfarlanei) is a small, primarily nocturnal owl that inhabits riparian woodlands in BC's southern interior. It nests in natural tree cavities, especially in large mature cottonwoods. Continued loss and degradation of riparian habitat and removal of cottonwood trees have resulted in substantial declines in western screech-owl populations, particularly in the southern interior of British Columbia. As a result, this owl is listed as an endangered species, both federally and provincially. The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program will be conducting surveys for Western Screech-Owls in the West Kootenay in 2007. Much of the remaining cottonwood habitat that Western Screech-Owls inhabit occurs on private land. Your help is needed to restore habitat and populations of Western Screech-owls in our area!
Listen for yourself. Western Screech-Owl Call in mp3 format.
Check out our western screech-owl video from the West Kootenay.
Owls Nesting in West Kootenay
Over the years there has been anecdotal evidence of the elusive Western Screech-Owl residing near Fruitvale but its local existence has now been confirmed following inventory work by the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP.) Two pairs of this nationally endangered species were found near Fruitvale in 2008, including one nest site with fledglings. More.
Monitoring these birds helps improve our understanding of their range, distribution and feeding habits. Join wildlife biologists on a night excursion as they attempt to catch a western screech-owl and outfit the bird with a transmitter so they can begin to monitor its movements. Watch Our Video.
Help an Owl! Build A Nest Box
Make Your Owl Nest Box:
Find out more and learn how you can help the endangered Western Screech-owl.
Learn more about the Western Screech-owl by reading FWCP's Western Screech-owl Reports
Report an Owl Sighting
Use our online form to report a Western Screech-owl sighting in the West Kootenay
