LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 28 Before you go out and start looking for owls, it is important to understand how to do so ethically. For more information on ethical birding please reach out to your local, state, or national Audubon chapter, or birding organization. Ethical birding means looking for, photographing, and engaging with birds in a re- spectful and responsible manner. This includes: • Understanding body language and keeping the bird from getting too stressed out. • Staying on marked trails and respecting local foliage. • Keeping a respectful distance from all birds, but especially nests and nesting birds. • Avoiding loud sounds and conversations, or bait- ing birds with the overuse of recorded birdsong. Now that you have some tips on ethical birding – Where are the owls? Do some research on the owls in your region as certain parts of the Adirondacks offer opportunities to see different types of owls during different times of the year. Doing research on where owls like to hang out, what time of the year, and some species unique signs could greatly increase your chance of finding your owls! One resource includes E-bird, an app/web- site used for citizen science where everyday folks and researchers alike can share sightings of birds and the information can then be used for research. This can be a good way to become familiar with bird species in your region. Once you are out on the trails, keep an eye and an ear out for some common signs of owls: • Listen for songbirds or crows "mobbing". This is when birds go after raptors (owls included) and overwhelm them by divebombing, making sounds (screaming in a sense) at them, and try- ing to chase them off. • Look for owl droppings (whitewash) on the tree bark and foliage under roosting sites. • Look at the ground as well for owl pellets (regur- gitated undigested bits of the owls' food) and feathers. • While you are out at dawn or dusk (as the sun ris- es and as the sun sets) be sure to keep your ears open and your head on a swivel. I did see this on a few different sites and it made me chuckle: go out without your camera, you are sure to run into an owl, a moose, and maybe even bigfoot! Reach out to your local Audubon Chapters for more information on wildlife, outings, and ethical birding. Additionally, reach out to your local Audubon chapter or birding club to see if they offer guided owl walks. These often take place at night/dusk, but these guid- ed opportunities could be a wonderful introduction on how to find owls in your region. They can also be a good way to network and gain new birding friends who may be helpful in finding the owl you are hoping to spot. The Adirondacks has two Audubon Chapters — Southern Adirondack Audubon Society and North- ern New York Audubon. Remember to do your research, bird ethically, and have fun! t Apps like E-bird can be a great resource for finding com- mon owl hangouts.

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