OWL Box Project
Popular in the Grand Valley
The Grand Valley has a uniquely high concentration of Western Screech-Owls (WESOs) – regularly counting more than 30 during the Christmas Count with a high of 47. This number of WESOs typically ranks GVAS within the top three counts nationwide. Indeed, GVAS records more WESOs than in the entirety of the neighboring states (except Arizona) and all of the rest of Colorado.
It Pays Off
Consequently, for almost 25 years, GVAS has worked to encourage and monitor the Grand Valley WESO population. This endeavor has included a “box program” which entails installation of nest boxes on private and public property—the latter emphasizing locations such as golf courses, cemeteries and schools. In several instances, owls have been retained in neighborhoods by installing boxes as replacements to natural cavities in trees that were sacrificed to development.
Who is That?
Besides the Christmas count, the boxes are checked each spring (April/May) to determine how many are occupied for nesting. Usually, approximately fifteen have WESO nests with similar numbers occupied by Wood ducks or kestrels. Northern flickers are occasionally found, and, of course, too many starlings. Most years, a licensed bander climbs the trees, and brings the owls down in a plastic bucket so they can be banded—an activity much enjoyed by neighbors and participants.
Finding WESOs
GVAS encourages everyone to assist in this effort. Please report any owls observed to our conservation chairman Nic Korte or to the Western Slope Birding Network. Besides WESOs, the Grand Valley and its environs host barn owls, northern pygmy-owls, saw-whet owls, great horned owls, long-eared owls, burrowing owls, flammulated owls, and boreal owls. Saw-whet owls have used nest boxes in the valley and flammulated and boreal owls in the nearby mountains.
Helping Out
As for the WESO project itself, assistance is always needed constructing, repairing, and installing boxes (climbing ladders), keeping an eye on boxes and owls in your neighborhood, helping with the Christmas count and with spring monitoring. Special skills that would move the program forward might include improving data base management and electrical repair/camera skills for keeping the monitoring equipment in good repair.
Contact our committee chair Nic Korte or any Audubon officer or board member to volunteer.
