Dataset

Atlantic Nocturnal Owls Survey

About

Dataset summary

The dataset consists of detections of noturnal owls along survey routes with stops established at 2km intervals along roadside.

Season(s) and frequency

any evening between April 1 and May 15

Geographic area covered

Maritime provinces of Canada

Primary species covered

Focal species is Barred Owl, also of interest are Northern Saw-whet, Great-Horned, Boreal and Long-eared Owls.

Goals

The goals of this survey are to determine population trends of owls (especially Barred Owls) in Atlantic Canada, to gather location information on rare or little-known owl species (especially Boreal and Long-eared Owls), and to involve volunteer birders from across the region in active wildlife monitoring.

Methods

Sampling Design

Randomly selected routes

Field methods

Similar to other roadside surveys using tape playback. Two volunteers drive pre-determined route, stopping at fixed intervals (2 km apart in NB and PE, 1.6 km apart in NS) along roadside. At each stop, 2 minutes of silent listenting is followed by playbacks consisting of pre-recorded owl

Analysis methods

Annual reports written and posted on BSC website (http://www.bsc-eoc.org/regional/nbowls.html)

Partners

New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources
Prince Edward Island Department of Natural Resources

Citation

Birds Canada, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, and Prince Edward Island Department of Natural Resources. 2025. "Atlantic Canada Nocturnal Owl Survey". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.