Field Trip Recap: Owl Prowls

Snowy Owl. Art by Charlotte Blome

words by Lauren Kostas

Did you know that flash photography at night will damage the eyes of owls? Or that Great Horned Owls are known to include skunk in their diets? Or, despite confusing naming conventions, the tufts of feathers on the heads of Great Horned or Long-eared Owls are neither ears nor horns?

These fun facts—and excellent fodder for future trivia contests—were some of the Owl 411 shared at Owls Prowls hosted by COS at the North Park Village Nature Center.

Edward Warden, COS president and owl prowl leader for more than 17 years, was our guide to local owls at the Nov. 18 and Dec. 16 sessions at the Nature Center. The owl-curious participants included youngsters (even a few babes in arms), seasoned nature fans and beginning birders drawn to the prowl by recent reports of Snowy Owls in Chicago.

Edward kicked off the nighttime sessions with a brief presentation on owl fundamentals that introduced us to the resident and visiting owls of Cook County: Long-eared, Short-eared, Barred, Snowy, Eastern Screech, Northern Saw-whet and Great Horned Owls. We learned about the various owls’ size, favored habitat, preferred diet and calls.

The large groups at the prowls were energetic and curious. The kids were especially excited. They raised hands to ask and answer questions, spotted owls in photos and practiced their hoots. Photos of the tiny Northern Saw-whet yielded coos of delight and the classic call of the Great Horned recalled spooky tales told around a campfire.

Edward addressed the question, “Why look for owls in the snowy, cold Chicago winter? Why not look for them when it’s warmer in April or May?” The simple answer – babies.

This is the time of year when resident owls are preparing to breed by establishing territory, finding mates and claiming nests. In late January and February, owls here are laying eggs and incubating the next generation of raptors.

After the presentation, we gathered gloves, scarfs and hats to head out for a one-mile walk around the natural area. Before we went out into the chilly night, Edward tempered our expectations for spotting owls on our prowl.

He noted that these creatures are experts at camouflage and they certainly would hear us traipsing through the woods long before we might see or hear them. We kept our fingers crossed that we might attract a curious owl with the judicious use of playback and perhaps hear a return vocalization from the treetops above. If we were especially lucky, we might see a shadow or some movement through the branches.

Once outside, our feet crunched in leaves on the trail. Nearby coyotes howling at passing ambulances serenaded us. At several spots along the trail, we stopped and gathered around as Edward raised a speaker above his head in a manner that reminded this “boomer” of John Cusack in the movie “Say Anything.”

Edward broadcast owl calls of several different species as we did our best to stand quietly and strained our ears for any responding calls. A couple of times we were fortunate to hear Eastern Screech Owls answer the playback. Though the owls were somewhat elusive, the prowl was a fun mix of information, community conversation and a bracing walk in another of the Chicago Park District’s natural oases.

The prowls are the result of a long and productive partnership between the COS and the Chicago Park District. Tucked inside the North Park Village campus, the Nature Center offers more than 58 acres of land and an educational center. There are trails through woods, savanna, and wetlands; a discovery room with natural objects like nests, skeletons and taxidermy; and public programs for all ages.

Can’t get enough of owls? Register for Snowy Owl Irruption!, in-person presentations at the North Park Village Nature Center and Big Marsh on Jan. 17 and 24, respectively.