Finding Owls in the Forest: Personal Insights and 4 Must-Have Tips
Sony A7IV + Sony 200-600mm | 600mm | 1/125 sec | f/6.3 | ISO 1000
Have you ever seen an owl in its natural habitat? It's such an incredible feeling to see an owl up close, a one-on-one moment. Just you and this mysterious creature sharing a silent conversation. It's a reminder of the real magic and mystery that's out there waiting to be discovered. Today, I'll share some stories from my recent encounters and reveal four tips that help me find owls in the forest. (In a hurry? Skip ahead to the four main tips here).
Now look, I'm no expert at finding owls. Though recently, I have been getting the hang of it! Perhaps the time of year has played a role in my recent luck. My search for owls began on February 13th, 2024, when I visited a tree cavity I have been occasionally checking for the last couple of years. I have always thought it seemed like the perfect spot for an owl, about 10 feet up and maybe 6 inches wide, facing south towards the sun. The cavity seemed deep enough for a variety of critters to build a nest in. I always had high hopes despite it appearing empty. That day, I finally spotted an adorable Eastern Screech Owl, its piercing eyes looking directly back at me.
Sony A7IV + Sony 200-600mm | 600mm | 1/13 sec | f/6.3 | ISO 2000
After the initial moment of surprise, I gently retreated, seeking the shelter of a line of trees beside the path. This natural camouflage offered me a discreet vantage point, allowing me to photograph the owl from a distance where its behaviour remained uninfluenced by my presence, while also ensuring the owls comfort.
The owl looked around and observed its surroundings. I had initially stirred up some squirrels and nearby cardinals, but once I settled into the environment, things fell quiet again. The owl was still until the final minutes of the blue hour began to fade into the night. That's when it leaped from the cavity, presumably to start its evening hunt. As it became too dark to see and I couldn't determine where the owl had flown to, I took this as a sign to head home and give the owl its space.
The real magic unfolded several days later. My curiosity was relentless: Had the owl made this spot its home? Was it planning to nest here? Determined for answers, I returned to the tree cavity a few hours before sunset, taking extra care to approach as silently as possible, and settled in yet again behind a familiar group of trees. Looking up, I found the cavity empty. Yet I clung to hope, knowing it was still too early for any significant activity. As the sun began to tuck behind the trees and its final rays illuminated the tree cavity, my patience was finally rewarded. The Eastern Screech Owl emerged, peeking out of the cavity to bask in the sunlight, with remnants of its previous hunt still visible on its beak.
Sony A7IV + Sony 200-600mm | 600mm | 1/800 sec | f/7.1 | ISO 5000
As blue hour began to settle in once again, I experienced something truly extraordinary. From the woods behind me, the call of another Eastern Screech Owl echoed through the trees. The owl I had been observing responded, and I sat in awe as the two owls exchanged calls back and forth. With mating season just beginning for many owls, this interaction might have been a display of territory or perhaps the start of a courtship. In either case, I felt incredibly privileged to witness such a moment and knew it was time to give them their space. I haven’t returned yet, as I’m eagerly waiting for a later date to see if I can spot any new developments.
Searching for owls at blue hour, a period after the sun has set when they become most active.
Thanks for joining me on that little adventure. Now, how do I find owls in the woods? The biggest lesson I have learned so far is that you don't find owls, owls find you. What I mean by this is that successfully finding owls requires a lot of time and patience. Sometimes, it’s best to enjoy your hike and photograph other species while keeping these tips in mind.
One: Know Your Owls
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the owls native to your area. The Merlin Bird ID app is an invaluable tool for finding birds, offering insights into your local species, their calls, and their habitats. This app is a fantastic starting point for beginners, as it provides a wealth of information to help you identify and learn about the owls you might encounter. However, a word of caution: while listening to owl calls on the app is a fantastic way to learn, resist the urge to use these calls to attract owls. Misuse will likely disturb or even harm owls, causing them to waste precious energy or leave the area altogether.
Two: Bird Alarm Calls
It’s essential to learn the difference between casual bird chatter and alarm calls. Birds often alert each other of a potential threat in the area. A great indicator of this behaviour is when you hear multiple species of birds flocking to one tree and calling out. This behaviour is referred to as mobbing. They do this in hopes to overwhelm and chase off the predator to protect their nesting sites and territory. Crows in particular are a dead giveaway, as they go crazy when they spot an owl. This behaviour led me to a Barred owl in my recent YouTube video, showcasing how listening to your surroundings can guide you to find an owl of your own.
Three: Cozy Tree Cavities
Keep an eye out for tree cavities along your favourite hiking trails, taking note of their locations and features. If you’re curious about the size requirements for specific owls, a quick Google search can provide guidance. Generally, owls prefer cavities that are roughly 10 feet up and facing south so they can easily enjoy the sunlight. This year, I discovered my first Eastern screech owl, followed by two more sightings, each in a different forest with these exact parameters. Something new I recently learned, if there appears to be a whitewash moving down from the entrance of the cavity, it is likely owl poop and a good sign the cavity is being used. You might even be able to take a closer look and find owl pellets at the base of the tree, a true indicator of an owl's presence. (Owl pellets are made up of anything the owl can’t digest, feathers, fur, bones, etc).
Four: Timing Matters
This last tip ties everything together. The time of year, time of day and the weather all play significant roles in the types of owls you’ll see. Late winter to early spring is one of the best times to find owls for a few reasons. Not only is this a very active time for owls, as they search for new territories and mates. It’s also generally easier to spot them, as the foliage hasn’t grown in yet. A strategic approach for this time of year is to go out at night and listen for owls. Once you pinpoint an area of the woods where they’re active, you can return in the day and use the above tips to locate them. Keep in mind that the weather will affect your chances of spotting owls, as they don’t typically enjoy rain, snow or windy conditions. Planning your observations around the weather gives you the best chance of spotting these elusive birds.
Observation:
Once you spot an owl, aim to observe without disturbing it, stay low, move quietly, and use natural surroundings for camouflage. Keep an eye on the owl's body language, watching for signs of agitation. These signs can be visual or vocal, such as puffing up, staring directly at you, clicking their beak, hissing or other vocalizations directed at you. If this is the case, try to relocate to a more comfortable distance for the owl, or leave altogether and try another day. Putting the owl's well-being before the perfect photo ensures an ethical approach and will hopefully even lead to future sightings of the owl again.
Just remember, finding owls takes time, patience, and a bit of research, as every species is different. So get out there and enjoy the journey! If you found this helpful and would like to see more, I invite you to watch my YouTube video. It brings these stories and tips to life, showcasing the beauty of these experiences firsthand.
