A significant number of migrating owls have kept researchers at the Mugaha Marsh Banding Station busy as they journey through northern British Columbia in a rare occurrence not seen in years.
Jeannine Randall, a bird biologist at the Mackenzie Nature Observatory, located about 200 kilometers north of Prince George, expressed excitement about the extraordinary owl activity this year. She mentioned that while they typically catch around 100 owls, they have already captured 266 owls this season, setting a new record with two weeks still remaining.
This sudden surge in owl numbers posed an unexpected challenge due to a shortage of the regulated tracking bands required for monitoring the birds. The scarcity, particularly of the larger bands needed for saw-whet owls, was a result of backorders from the bird banding office, leading to difficulties in banding the owls.
Despite reaching out to other organizations for assistance, it became evident that the owl phenomenon was widespread, causing shortages at various stations across the region. Randall attributed the increased owl population to abundant prey, mainly small rodents like mice, deer mice, and voles.
While the overwhelming owl presence at Mackenzie is promising, Rémi Torrenta, a biologist with Birds Canada, cautioned that many owl species in the province have been experiencing declining populations over the last 25 years. He highlighted the stability or growth of some species like barred owls, contrasting with the decreasing trends seen in most owl species, including the northern saw-whet owls.
Torrenta explained that the current spike in owl numbers likely follows a well-documented four-year cycle where high owl populations eventually lead to a crash in rodent numbers the following year, forcing owls to migrate south in search of food, known as a mass eruption.
To monitor these trends effectively, Birds Canada coordinates the Nocturnal Owl Survey, a citizen science initiative that relies on volunteers nationwide to track owl populations each spring. This program, along with efforts like the Mackenzie Nature Observatory banding project, plays a crucial role in gathering data for studying owl populations and migration patterns.
The recent recapture of an owl banded in Victoria in 2024 at the Mackenzie station provided valuable insights into the species’ movements, underscoring the importance of ongoing research for informed conservation decisions and species understanding.