Introduction

"from the middle to the end of October the Saw-whet Owls migrate in considerable numbers, but from their nocturnal habits and secluded habitats while en route are seldom observed. In all probability, too, such noticeable gatherings are only in such places as at Point Pelee where a constricted migration route brings many together at one time." - P. A. TAVERNER AND B. H. SWALES - 1912.

An excerpt from the first published account of Northern saw-whet owl migration - Click the quote above to read the full text

Project Owlnet was originally designed to improve the knowledge of the migration of the Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) in North America. The concept of Project Owlnet was created by David F. Brinker and is based on Operation Recovery of the 1960s. Dave, an ecologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, has studied Northern saw-whet Owls for more than 20 years, initially in Wisconsin and for over a decade in Maryland. Project Owlnet grew from a series of five cooperating saw-whet owl banding stations spread across Maryland and discussions with colleagues in Wisconsin to a growing network of cooperators that is spreading North, West and South across the continent. With this expansion we have found it necessary and desirable to include other North American migratory species of nocturnal owls.

Project Owlnet has three primary goals:

1. Support expansion of a network of migrant owl banding stations
2. Advocate the use of relatively comparable netting protocols
3. Improve communication and coordination between owl banding stations in the North America

With these objectives in mind we hope to improve our understanding of nocturnal owl migration. An expanded network of banding stations will increase the data and collective knowledge of owl migration. Remember the most likely way to obtain recoveries is from other banding stations; it really works! We provide the most current resources regarding owl migration research to those interested in this field. Our long-term goal is to become a non-profit organization able to support this effort with other materials and equipment necessary for study of migrant owls.

The use of similar protocols, allowing diversity for individual projects while maintaining collection of key data, has facilitated increased understanding of Northern saw-whet owl migration at cooperating stations. We feel that this can be accomplished with other migratory species of nocturnal owls encountered as we expand north and west. This allows much easier comparison of data when addressing regional questions and is an essential part of good science!

Use of information technology such as email and the internet will benefit us all by improving our understanding of the dynamics of owl migration. This website will provide many of the resources needed by bird banders and researchers to begin their studies of owl migration. Our listserv, Sawwhetnet, provides an email forum for discussion of current owl migration events, study methods and techniques.

click the image for a larger view

click the image for a larger view

Where are we now?

Project Owlnet is beginning to reach critical mass. The Maryland stations and Katy Duffy's long established effort at Cape May, New Jersey joined to form the core of Project Owlnet. Next came stations in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, West Virginia, North Carolina and at Cape Charles in Virginia. In 1997 we were joined by a group in Pennsylvania headed by Eric Atkinson, Todd Bauman, and Scott Weidensaul. They are actively recruiting new banders to cover their whole state. Add in the long established Great Lakes stations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario, and the network is beginning to fill the gaps. All of us have benefited from these efforts with frequent direct and indirect inter-station recoveries.

Please consider joining Project Owlnet!

The project is in its youth, but growing strongly. 1998 witnessed the establishment of the Project's listserv, Sawwhetnet. The invasion of 1999 was well documented and recognized at an early date due to our improved communications. Banders in several southern states, with few saw-whet records, were recruited through our efforts and documented unexpected occurrences in their regions. We need more cooperators; much of North America is still virgin territory in the field of owl migration. Beyond a successful effort in Idaho and another in Montana there is little, if any, study taking place in the central and western regions of the continent.

What do we offer?

In this web-site you can find suggested methodologies and protocols advocated by Project Owlnet and the North American Raptor Monitoring Strategy. These have been designed to produce data from which we may some day be able to generate a regional analysis of owl migration, while at the same time remaining flexible to the individual's needs.

Information on sexing and aging saw-whet owls is available. Sexing is based on a discriminant function table designed by David Brinker and accepted by the Bird Banding Lab of the North American Bird Banding Program. The photo-illustrated aging key is based on Pyle's Identification Guide to North American Birds.

Designs for audiolure construction, lure tapes, net rigs and other technical advice are to be found in our pages.

Links to related projects and efforts, as well as a complete bibliography, are being compiled for reference and further research.

Additional materials and information may also be available simply by contacting Project Owlnet at Sawwhetnet@adelphia.net. No question or request for help is too trivial, just contact the Project!