Successful Season-End at Saw-whet Owl Banding Station at Flathead Lake Biological Station!
November 2023

The ORI established a Saw-whet Owl migration research project with the generous support from the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station and wrapped up our busy season on November 3rd, 2023. We want to give out a big thanks to our volunteers and a thank you to FLBS for access to your land and for supporting this new long-term research site in the Mission Valley!
By opening the research station to the public, we have provided hundreds of visitors up-close experiences in owl research. Relying on dedicated volunteers and staff to run the station late into the night, many people have gained valuable field skills through participation. This fall, over 200 visitors came through the station on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake to learn more about owls and field research.
We banded for 8 weeks, for 40 nights, and we caught 180 saw-whets in total and welcomed over 200 visitors at the station this season. Many attendees, especially the children, relished in seeing the adorable owls up close and personal, as well as learning interesting facts about the owls. Memorable moments unfolded during these nights, as visitors witnessed the enchanting sight of their first Saw-whet Owl, its petite stature sparking eye-widening amazement. "It's so small!" was heard uttered in amazement, at the fine-looking feathered creatures. Introducing children and adults alike to the fascinating adaptations of owls and seeing their experience while there being etched in their memories forever, was satisfying. We received heartwarming emails from parents, sharing how their children couldn't stop talking about the owls! So many people had personal stories to share with us about an encounter they'd had with an owl, which was fun and entertaining to hear.
Our data showed that 78% of the owls caught at the station were first-year hatchlings and 22% were older. A UV light shown on their wing is utilized to determine the owl's age. The data collected during this research contributes to worldwide efforts on this small owl species. Owls are marked with a leg band that contains a unique number, allowing the researchers to track their movements. During one visitor night, one owl that had been banded in Alberta was re-captured hundreds of miles later on its migratory journey south. Even on nights when the nets were slow, we were treated to the wonders of night-time research such as shooting stars, dazzling constellations, and even the Aurora borealis.

Photos taken at Public Visitor's Nights during the Fall of 2024
Visitor's Nights at the Saw-whet Migration station at FLBS will be open to sign up for mid-August of 2024, check back for when the page (button above) is live to reserve your spot for Friday evenings from Sept. 15th-November 1st, 2024