After having the last three nights off due to inclement weather, I was really looking forward to opening the nets last night. The winds were out of the NW at around 14 mph to start out and I was hopeful for a push of birds. Six hefty females were captured between 2000 hours and 0100 hours. At around 0100 hours, the temperature dropped to below freezing and frost collected on the mist nets, which scintillated in the moonlight. If I could see it without my headlamp on, the owls could, too. From 0100 hours to 0600 hours, the nets remained empty.
We’re at 215 Northern Saw-whet Owls and one Long-eared Owl with 12 nights left of banding. Still time for a busy night or two.
