Overview
Project Name
Ontario Owl Survey
Access Level
Open (core fields)
Year started
1995
Year Ended
Ongoing
Dataset
Ontario Nocturnal Owls Survey
About
Dataset summary
The Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey was initiated in 1995 by Bird Studies Canada in partnership with the Wildlife Assessment Program of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The primary goal of this survey is to monitor owl populations in Ontario to determine whether owls are being affected by logging practices. The four main target species are Great Grey Owl, Barred Owl, Boreal Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Geographic area covered
Central and Northern Ontario. For purposes of this survey, the 47 line of latitude is used as the boundary between these study areas. In general, the southern edge of the Canadian Shield defines the southern limit of the central Ontario study area.
Primary species covered
Primarily owls. The four main target species are Great Grey Owl, Barred Owl, Boreal Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Goals
The Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey was initiated in 1995 by Bird Studies Canada in partnership with the Wildlife Assessment Program of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The primary goal of this survey is to monitor owl populations in Ontario to determine whether owls are being affected by logging practices. The four main target species are Great Grey Owl, Barred Owl, Boreal Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Methods
Field methods
The procedure for this survey is similar to other roadside surveys using tape playback. A team of two volunteers drives a pre-determined route, stopping at fixed intervals along the roadside. At each stop, a cassette tape is played consisting of pre-recorded owl calls alternating with timed listening periods. The surveyor identifies and records all owls seen or heard during each listening period. Surveys begin one half hour after sunset during a single evening in April and take approximately 3 hours to complete (not including travel time to and from the survey route).
Partners
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Citation
Birds Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 2025. "Ontario Owl Survey". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
