A significant number of migrating owls are keeping researchers at the Mugaha Marsh Banding Station busy as they travel through northern British Columbia in unusually high numbers. Jeannine Randall, a bird biologist at the Mackenzie Nature Observatory, located about 200 kilometers north of Prince George, described this year as exceptional. Typically, the station catches around 100 owls, but this season they have already caught 266, setting a new record with two weeks remaining. This surge in owls created a unique challenge due to a shortage of the specific tracking bands required for monitoring the birds. The station faced a scarcity of the larger bands, primarily used for saw-whet owls, as they were on backorder from the bird banding office.
Although efforts were made to obtain bands from other organizations, it became evident that the increase in owl numbers was widespread, causing similar shortages at various stations. Randall attributed the rise in owl numbers to an abundance of small rodents this year, explaining that most of the caught owls were newly hatched and feeding on prey such as mice, deer mice, and voles.
While the high owl numbers at Mackenzie are promising, they may not reflect the overall trend for owl species in the province. Rémi Torrenta, a biologist with Birds Canada, noted that many owl populations have experienced a decline over the past 25 years, with only a few species remaining stable or increasing, such as barred owls. Torrenta emphasized that the northern saw-whet owls, among others, have been decreasing in numbers.
Torrenta suggested that the current owl boom is likely part of a documented four-year cycle, where an abundance of owls results in a subsequent crash in the rodent population, leading to a mass migration of owls in search of food. To monitor these trends, Birds Canada coordinates the Nocturnal Owl Survey, a citizen science program that relies on volunteers nationwide to track owl populations each spring.
The banding project at the Mackenzie Nature Observatory plays a vital role in wider scientific research, offering essential data on owl populations and migration patterns. Recently, the station recaptured an owl that had been banded in Victoria in 2024, providing valuable insights into the species’ movement patterns. Randall highlighted the significance of such research for making informed management decisions and enhancing our understanding of owl species.
In conclusion, the surge in owl migration this year presents both challenges and opportunities for researchers studying these fascinating birds in British Columbia.