avatarY.L. Wolfe

Summary

Yael Wolfe shares personal insights and practical tips on how to find and respectfully observe owls in their natural habitat.

Abstract

The article by Yael Wolfe recounts her transformative experience of encountering a great horned owl in the woods, which sparked her passion for owl watching, or "owling." Wolfe emphasizes the importance of respecting wildlife and the environment while seeking out owls, suggesting that patience, quiet observation, and understanding the signs of owl presence are key to successful owl encounters. She advises owl enthusiasts to ask locals for tips, come prepared with binoculars and a camera, and to move slowly and listen carefully for owl sounds or the alarm calls of crows and ravens that might indicate an owl's presence. Wolfe also highlights the significance of owl pellets and excrement as clues to their territory, and stresses the need to visit owl habitats at appropriate times, such as just after dawn or mid-afternoon, to avoid disturbing their natural rhythms. The article underscores that owling is not just about spotting owls, but about fostering a connection with them and the land they inhabit, acting as stewards and protectors of these majestic creatures.

Opinions

  • Owling is a privilege and should be approached with respect for the owls and their environment.
  • It's crucial to observe owls without disturbing them, maintaining a distance and being patient.
  • Owls are most likely to be found by listening for their sounds or the distress calls of other birds like magpies, ravens, and crows.
  • Visual clues such as owl excrement and pellets can help locate owl territories.
  • The best times to look for owls are during their active periods, avoiding midday and evening when they are resting or hunting.
  • Building a relationship with owls and their habitat is more important than simply spotting them.
  • Owlers should act as ambassadors and protectors of owls, ensuring their stewardship aligns with the well-being of the owls.

How to Find an Owl in the Woods

If you’re looking for a little magic, it’s closer than you think

Copyright Yael Wolfe

In 2014, I had an encounter with a great horned owl that changed my life. I was walking in the woods and startled the beautiful bird from where it sat hidden in the branches of a juniper tree. I was so excited, I attempted to find the owl a few weeks later and even dared to bring my camera. Incredibly, I not only located the owl, but was able to capture photographs of it, as well.

After that, there was no turning back. I’d become an “owler.”

Over the years, many have asked me how I learned to find and photograph owls. Here’s what I tell them:

Ask around

Chances are, someone in your circle will be able to give you a starting point. Perhaps they know someone who owns a large property where owls have been seen. Or maybe they know where the owls hang out in your local national forest. If nothing else, do what I did: just start walking in the woods and see what you find.

Come prepared

Always bring a pair of binoculars when you go out to look for owls. If you find one, this is the best way to observe it from a distance. If you’ve got a good zoom lens and know how to use it, bring your camera, too. Don’t expect to get more than a couple shots, but even getting one good shot is a thrill and a wonderful way to capture a memory of your encounter.

Copyright Yael Wolfe

Always respect the wild

Remember you can’t make an owl appearance happen. Seeing one of these birds is a privilege and they will allow it when they want to. Don’t try to force it. Also, while you’re out in the woods, be respectful of the land and the other creatures and plants there.

Move slowly and be quiet

Walking slowly and remaining silent are not methods of hiding your presence from the owls. Once you enter their domain, they know you’re there, even when you think you’ve been as sneaky and quiet as a mouse. Guess what? Owls can hear a mouse moving under a foot of snow. So there’s no such thing as being quiet as a mouse. But you’ll be less likely to startle them if you move slowly and quietly.

Listen

Many scientists argue that owls rely more on their ears when hunting than on their sharp eyes. This method is best for owlers, too. You’re not likely to catch a glimpse of a well-camouflaged owl in a tree — but you might hear them squawking or screeching (yes, owls squawk and screech) or hooting. You might hear branches shifting if the owls are moving from one location on the tree to another.

And here’s my most top secret tip: Listen for magpies, ravens, and crows. These members of the Corvidae family are born to hate owls, and vice versa. If they come across an owl in the woods, they will make quite a racket in an attempt to bully the owl into relocating. When you hear this mad squawking — you’ll find an owl nearby.

Look for clues

There are a few visual indicators that can help you locate owl territory. Look for the white and gray splashes of their excrement on tree limbs, rocks, and the ground. You might find a feather or two (though don’t take it — it’s illegal to take the feathers of native North American migratory birds!). Also, keep an eye out for owl pellets. These look like small gray or black sausages. You might see hair or bone sticking out of them. Owl pellets are regurgitated by owls after their meals and include anything their stomachs cannot digest.

Copyright Yael Wolfe

Sit and wait

Once you have found an area that looks to be frequented by an owl, revisit that place once a week or so. Find a place to sit that’s somewhat obscured and a good distance away. It’s important to respect an owl’s space — if you intrude there, they will likely not return. So remain on the outskirts.

Then sit. And wait.

Yes, owling is often all about patience. Encounters happen at their convenience — not yours. Be patient.

Go when the time is right

At what time of day should you go owling? If you know what you’re doing, where to go, and have the proper equipment, the hours between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM are best. However, you don’t have to crawl out of bed in the middle of the night in order to encounter an owl. During my walks in the woods, I’ve found them at all hours of the day. I think the most important thing to do is to respect their natural rhythms — try not to seek them out at midday (which is their “middle of the night”) or in the evening, when they are getting ready to begin their nightly hunt. Try looking for them just after dawn or at mid-afternoon.

Be cool

When you encounter an owl, be cool as a cucumber. Assume any and every movement you make might be the one that sends the owl flying off. You can try to take a step or two closer for a better look, but be forewarned: This is likely to scare the owl away. It’s less likely, but entirely possible that approaching the owl might cause it to attack. Determine whether or not you’re willing to take that risk.

Seeing an owl or capturing photographs of an owl does not make you an owler. The most important thing to remember about owling is that it’s about building a relationship with owls and the land in which they live. You are there to watch, learn, and connect. This isn’t about your agenda, what you can get, or what you want.

Think about the land and about the owls in every decision you make. Don’t harass the owls. Don’t wear out your welcome. Don’t invade their private territory.

Your observations as an owler should become an act of stewardship. Your interests should align with their interests. As an owler, you are becoming a liaison to the owl world — an educator, an ambassador, a protector.

Never forget the responsibility you carry in exchange for the privilege of observing these beautiful creatures.

© Yael Wolfe 2019

Birds
Outdoors
Nature
Mindfulness
Photography
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