A significant number of migrating owls have kept the Mugaha Marsh Banding Station researchers busy, with a remarkable surge in their presence in northern British Columbia this year. Jeannine Randall, a bird biologist at the Mackenzie Nature Observatory, shared that they have already captured 266 owls this season, surpassing their usual count of around 100. The surge has caused a shortage of tracking bands, particularly in one specific size needed for saw-whet owls, the primary species they target.
Due to the band shortage, the station sought assistance from other organizations but found that the owl population increase was not unique to their area. Many stations across the region were facing similar band shortages. Randall attributed the rise in owl numbers to an abundance of small rodents, the main prey for these birds, particularly young ones hatched this year.
While the spike in owl numbers at the Mackenzie station is positive, it may not reflect the overall trend for owl populations in the province. Rémi Torrenta from Birds Canada highlighted that many owl species have been declining over the past 25 years, despite some, like barred owls, remaining stable or increasing.
Torrenta explained that the current owl boom is likely part of a documented four-year cycle where high owl numbers lead to a subsequent crash in the rodent population, forcing owls to migrate south in search of food. This pattern, known as a mass eruption, is being monitored through the Nocturnal Owl Survey program, a citizen science initiative coordinated by Birds Canada.
Through volunteer programs like the Nocturnal Owl Survey, researchers can track owl numbers and migration patterns, providing valuable data for conservation efforts. The banding project at the Mackenzie Nature Observatory plays a crucial role in this research, offering insights into owl populations and migration routes. Recently, the station recaptured an owl originally banded in Victoria in 2024, shedding light on the species’ travel behaviors.