We have all been in the same boat lately, storm after storm and no power, therefore the windows are wide open while we patiently wait. As the night sky falls, I soon hear the soothing call of the Barred owl making me feel calm and more at peace with the challenges we continue to face. With power back, I would like to share with you some information on Owls in Connecticut and what you can do to ensure the presence of some these endangered and majestic creatures in our beautiful town of Roxbury.

Connecticut is home to 8 species of owls. One of our largest and most common, is the Great Horned Owl. Great Horned Owls, like all owls, have a lousy sense of smell, because of this they are the most common predators of skunks! Barred Owls are one of Connecticut’s most vocal owls with a call that sounds like it’s saying “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all”. The Eastern Screech Owls has a trilling whinny and is small with a wide variety of colors; including red, grey and brown. Snowy Owls often visit Connecticut in the winter. Snowy Owls look for habitats that mimic their Arctic home, with wide open spaces and few trees, like large fields. Owls live in a variety of habitats throughout Connecticut and share our yards, trees and gardens, although these nocturnal birds are more often heard more than seen. With over 200 species found worldwide (mostly Asia) and 19 in the U.S. and Canada, they are out there in the darkness and a functioning part of the ecosystem.

OWL FACTS: . Owls come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, but they are all related and belong to one of two scientific bird family classifications. The Strigidae owls are the typical owls or true owls, and this family includes the majority of owl species. They are heavily camouflaged birds and have large heads and round or oval facial disks. The Tytonidae owls, or barn owls, have more typically counter shaded plumage and heart- shaped facial disks, and their body shape is a bit more tapered and slender than the true owls. . Owls also belong to the group of birds called raptors, which includes hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures. All raptors are predators that have claws known as talons, for catching prey and sharp, hooked beaks for tearing it into bite sized pieces. Owls have many unique characteristics that set them apart from other raptors. . Most owls are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. . Owls are carnivorous and will eat rodents, small- or medium-sized mammals, nocturnal insects, fish, and other birds, including smaller owls. After digesting their food, owls regurgitate hard pellets of compressed bones, fur, teeth, feathers, and other materials they couldn't digest. . They have zygodactyl feet with two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward, and all their toes have sharp talons. This gives the birds a stronger, more powerful grip, so they can be more effective predators. Many owls have feathered feet to help with insulation and to serve as minor protection from the bites or scratches of captured prey. The feathers on the feet also work like whiskers and help the birds detect when prey is within their grasp. Owl toes are also unique, and the outermost forward toe can rotate to face the back to hold prey more efficiently. . Owls hearing is extremely sensitive and this allows them to even hear a mouse running under the snow! Many owl species have asymmetrical ears that are different sizes and different heights on their heads. This gives the birds superior hearing and the ability to pinpoint where prey is located, even if they can't see it. Several owls’ species have ear tufts on their heads but they aren't ears at all. These tufts of feathers help keep it camouflaged by mimicking branches or leaves in a tree. In addition, the flattened facial disk of an owl funnels sound to the bird's ears and magnifies it as much as ten times to help the owl hear noises humans can't detect. . Owls also have silent flight, this helps them to sneak up on prey, but also allows them to hear better. This silent flight is caused by their feathers having a velvety coating and fringed edges. Things that are soft help to absorb sounds and the fringed edge of the owl’s feather helps to break up wind noise. . All owls have upright posture and forward-facing eyes that give them binocular vision, just like humans. Owls' eyes are not spheres, however, but are tubes that provide better depth perception and allow them to see prey from great distances. Owls have incredible eyesight. Their eyes are very large compared to the size of their bodies. These extra-large eyes let in lots of light allowing them to see when it is low light or even dark out. The sclerotic ring, is an extra ring of bone around an owl’s eye socket and helps to hold the eye in place. Owls cannot move their eyes inside their eye sockets, but can turn their heads around 270 degrees (135 degrees to either side) – twice as far as people can! However, owls cannot spin their heads all the way around. Owls are able to turn their heads further because they have 14 vertebrae in their neck, compared to our 7. An owl has three eyelids: one for blinking, one for sleeping, and one for keeping the eye clean and healthy. The third eyelid is also called the nictitating membrane, and many other birds also have it. . Many owls have a wide range of vocal sounds, including hisses, whistles, screeches, screams, and purrs. Owls will also use bill clacks for communication, especially when agitated. Owls are beautiful and mysterious raptors that are favorites for birders and non-birders alike. Unfortunately, they also face many threats and almost one-quarter of the world's owl species are considered officially endangered, threatened or vulnerable to severe population declines. Of the 8 species of owls in Connecticut, there are four that are on the endangered species list. I. Saw-whet owls are considered a species of special concern. II. Short-eared owls are threatened. III. Long-eared owls are endangered. IV. Barn owls are endangered. Note: Do not disturb nesting owls. Barn owls are protected by state and federal laws. Moving, destroying, or disrupting a nest is a serious crime punishable by steep fines, potential jail time, and other penalties.

Encourage Owl Conservation by doing one or all of these things: 1. Habitat loss: All birds are vulnerable to habitat loss, and tree removal often destroys forest habitats preferred by many owls for their shaded and secluded areas. If you remove trees consider planting some coniferous and/or deciduous trees in there place, since as they grow they will become very suitable for owls. 2. Install nesting boxes to provide owls with a secure location to set up home. Most owls seek hollow cavities in trees to nest, but some, like the screech owl, are attracted to manufactured boxes. (See directions for making your own owl box, below) 3. Consider using an abandoned building for nesting, and leaving a barn or shed open for the birds to access can give them a great place to raise a brood of owlets. 4. Don’t prune large branches from trees. Horizontal perches give owls a prime location on which to perch. 5. Put outdoor flood lights on timers. Most owls are either crepuscular or nocturnal, and they hunt better and feel more secure and comfortable in darkness. Turning off porch lights, landscape lighting and other outdoor illumination will help owls roam more freely. Similarly, decorative string and net lights should be minimized not only to reduce light levels, but to minimize the risk of hunting owls getting tangled in the wires leading to broken bones and other injuries. When putting up lightening or outdoor decorations plan their placement with birds’ safety in mind. Take down decorations right away after holidays to remove the threat. 6. Provide bird baths. Owls get the majority of the fluid they need in their diets from the prey they consume, and they are not frequent visitors to bird baths. In hotter climates and during the summer, however, owls may visit slightly larger, deeper birdbaths to drink or bathe. Providing this type of water source in a quiet, secluded area is more likely to encourage owls to visit. 7. Mow the lawn less often to give owls a more appealing hunting ground. Leaving grass uncut, adding a brush pile, and leaving seed on the ground will make the yard more mouse-friendly, which in turn makes the habitat more owl-friendly. Let an owl take care of your small rodent problem. Note: Once owls have found a place to successfully hunt, they are likely to return, so remember to keep pets and poultry locked up after twilight. 8. Eliminate Pesticide Use Pesticides and rodenticides are a grave threat to owls. As apex predators, these birds can accumulate lethal levels of chemicals in their blood as they consume contaminated prey – a process called biomagnification – leading to illness and death. Instead of relying on chemicals to control rodent populations, invite owls to hunt with appropriate habitat and they will quickly keep the prey in check. Did you know that a barn owl can eat up to 1,000 mice each year? In fact, they usually swallow them whole. Many farmers use barn owl boxes and other tricks to try to attract barn owls to help control rodent populations in agricultural fieIds versus utilizing pesticides and poisons. 9. Assess Fencing as they are a threat to owls that feed in open areas, such as barn owls and short-eared owls. While flying over the fields to hunt, these birds can easily collide with fences and become tangled in the wire or netting, causing injuries, damaged feathers, strangulation, or starvation. Take steps to make fences more visible to birds, and remove any barbed wire or razor wire fences whenever possible to minimize the risk of bird injuries 10. Be Aware when Driving Your Vehicle at Night as many owls fly low over roadways while hunting, or they may catch prey at the side of roads and then be vulnerable to being hit by passing cars. Because owls hunt at night, a driver may not see the bird in time to safely avoid a collision. Drive slowly and be aware of your surroundings. 11. Get to know the Owl Because owls are not highly active during the day, a backyard owl can coexist with other backyard birds, and as excellent hunters, they can help control squirrel and rodent populations. Smaller owls may also help control large insects, and owls will occasionally catch reptiles such as snakes and lizards as well. Because they do not eat birdseed, these birds are also inexpensive to attract compared to birds with hearty appetites for costly seed or other foods. Owls matter in Roxbury that is why the Roxbury Conservation Committee, in collaboration with Booth Free School Wild Life project have now installed an owl house on Joey’s trail. Next time you are on the trail take a look to see if you can spot it!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ON OWL NEST BOXES AND WHAT TO EXPECT? . Put owl boxes up by January or February since these bird’s nest much earlier than other backyard species. . The boxes should be monitored to be kept free from wasps, squirrels, rodents, raccoons, or other birds or guests that may discourage nesting owls. . Connecticut barred owls court in February and March and you are most likely to hear them calling in these months. They usually lay 3 to 4 eggs. The eggs take about a month to hatch and both parents care for the young. Young owls begin to fly in 3 to 4 months and will be independent by fall. The lifespan of barred owls is about 18 years in the wild. . Owls tend to mate for life and find each other each mating season. . The nesting season generally ends in mid to late July when young birds have left the nest, and the boxes can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced after that time or through late fall. (Gloves and dust mask are recommended for this step.) . Owls will regurgitate pellets in the nest box to serve as cushioning for the young birds, but this material can be removed after the nesting season ends. . Cleaning the box will make it more inviting for owl pairs the following year and will minimize any insects, rodents, or bacteria that could be harmful in future nests. . For the screech owl place boxes in trees 10-12 feet from the ground on property perimeter where leavings will not be a problem. For larger owls, like the barn owl consider positioning the box 10-20 feet above the ground.

OWL HOUSE DESIGN: . Unlike birds who gather materials to build nests, owls seek hollowed-out places in trees or high crevices in buildings for shelter. What would be better than a nesting box and your owl box plans do not need to be fancy to be effective, but you’ll need to figure out how to build an owl house that is the right size to be a nest-substitute for the type of owl you hope to attract. Obtain information on the size of the owl species before you begin your owl box plans. For barn owls, a simple wooden box about 38 by 18 by 12 inches (1 by .5 by .3 m.) provides adequate room for a pair of owls and their young. For other species, the size will vary. . Always use untreated wood such as fir, cedar or pine. . Your owl house design must include an entrance opening located some 6 inches (15 cm.) above the base of the box. For barn owls, this can be a square about 6 by 7 inches (15 by 17 cm.) or an ellipse with a horizontal axis of 4 ½ inches (11.5 cm.) and a vertical axis of 3 ¾ inches (9.5 cm.) depending on your owl house design. . Don’t forget to include drain holes in the owl box plans. . It is very important that the owl nest box is built solidly. You don’t want it to fall apart after a family of owls moves into it. . Owl Nest Box Placement: Take the time to install your owl box appropriately. Attach it solidly to a stable post, the rafters of a barn, a tall tree, a barn wall, or any other handy structure.

o Ensure you consider placement when creating owl boxes so that you can include whatever attachments are necessary.

o In the ideal owl nest box placement, the box will be located near an open field so that the owls can glide directly into the box from hunting.

o You should face the entrance hole toward the north to prevent the sun from heating up the box. o When you see owl pellets (regurgitated skeletal remains of devoured rodents) and owl droppings near the owl house, you probably have occupancy.

o Owl houses can be mounted on buildings, posts or trees. To increase the likelihood of an owl choosing your creation as its home, follow these tips:

o Since owls prefer to glide directly to and from their nesting place, ensure a wide, unobstructed path to the entrance hole.

o Place the owl house away from busy roads, power lines and locations in close proximity to human activity.

o Hang the owl house where there is mid-day shade. Direct sun for extended periods pose a risk for owlets. Face the entry opening away from prevailing winds and direct afternoon sunlight. Most experts recommend facing the opening northeast, southeast or east.

o Choose a place within 100 yards of a tree line, but not directly within a densely wooded area. Owls seek nesting places where their young can safely perch but they also prefer space to glide low as they hunt. The instructions below are geared toward screech owls, although you may adjust the size for larger species Tools and Materials: . ¾-inch plywood sheet, (pine – untreated wood) . Drill . Hole saw . Screwdriver . 2-inch galvanized screws (24) . Saw . Chisel . Tape measure . Brass hinges with screws and washers (2) . Bark mulch . Water-based stain

Building Steps: 1. Cut wood to use for the front, back, sides, roof and floor of the owl house: a. Front 7.75" W x 16.75" L b. Back 7.75" W x 32" L c. Sides 2 pieces, each cut to 8" W x 19.5" L d. Roof 11.5" W x 12" L e. Floor 7.75" W x 8.5" L 2. To ensure proper drainage, drill 6-8 holes, evenly spaced and ½-inch diameter, in the floor piece. 3. Drill 2 ventilation holes, ½-inch diameter, about one inch from the top of each side piece. 4. Use hole saw to create an entrance hole in the front piece. The rounded entrance should be approximately 3-4 inches in diameter, centered, and placed about 4 inches from the top. 5. On the inside of the front piece, use a chisel or screwdriver to scrape 3-4 horizontal lines between entrance hole and bottom. This will make it easier for owlets to climb out and explore. 6. Angle side pieces to create a sloped roof. Measure one inch down from the right corner and cut wood diagonally from that point to the left, top corner. 7. Measure 7 inches from bottom of back piece. Using 3 screws per side, attach the long edges of the right and left sides to the back. (This should form a forward slope once the top is attached.) 8. Screw the bottom piece to the right and left side pieces. Position about ½-inch above the bottom edge of side pieces and screw in place with 3 evenly placed screws. 9. Screw front piece in place. It should be even with side pieces with entrance hole at the top. Use 3 screws on each side and 3 more on the bottom. 10. Attach the top to the back piece with 2 brass hinges. Use the brass screw and washer to attach the top piece to the front piece. 11. Add a ¾-inch layer of bark mulch to bottom of box. You may also want to apply a coat of non-toxic stain to provide weather protection.

RESOURCES: The Connecticut Audubon Society - https://www.ctaudubon.org/ The Spruce - https://www.thespruce.com/

GLOSSARY: Crepuscular -Active mostly during low-light periods such as dusk and dawn. Nocturnal - Active mostly during the darkest parts of the night. Facial Disk - A concave, flat, forward-facing facial structure ringed with distinctive feathers to help funnel sound to a bird's ears for more acute hearing. Mantling - Hunching over a recent kill by standing over it and spreading the wings slightly to try to hide it from other potential predators. Owlet - A baby owl that is not yet independent and still relies on its parents for food and care. Talon - A bird's toenail, a powerful weapon for hunting. Pellet –indigestible fur, bones and other material they cannot pass through their digestive tracts that an owl will regurgitate.