Documentation of
Boreal Owl
28-84-43
Observer Information
Reporter:
John Rawinski
239 Cotten Ln.,
MONTE VISTA,
CO 81144-9286
E-mail:
cougar@gojade.org
Other Observers:
None at this time
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Boreal Owl
First Date/Time:
3/16/1984 9:05:00 PM
Last Date/Time:
3/16/1984 9:20:00 PM
Duration (total time in view):
15 minutes for 2 different birds.
County:
Hinsdale
Specific Location:
Slumgullion Pass
Number:
2
Age:
Adult
Sex:
Male
Plumage:
Breeding
Habitat
At the time of the observations, the Engelmann spruce forest was tall, about 70 feet tall, and dense. At least 3 feet of snow was present.
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
I used my eyes as the birds were fairly close.
Distance:
60 feet was the first bird perched in a snag. the second bird came in about the same distance.
Light:
It was nighttime and I used a powerful flashlite to see the birds.
Description of the Bird
Both were adult birds and males. I will describe the first. It was a bird of about 10 inches in length, with large eyes with yellow iris and dark centers. The face had a dark edge to the facial disk. Forehead had white spots. Breast was white with brown streaks. Wings were brown with some white spotting. Bill was pale like the color of a fingernail. The birds had responded to my playing of the staccato song of the Boreal Owl on a tape player.
This was to be the first of many observations of Boreal Owls for me as I documented a number of these from Spring Creek Pass to Slumgullion Pass. Before too long I developed a system for photographing them at Spring Creek to Slumgullion Pass.
I want to get these observations entered even if it is 40 years after. I am using my notes from those owling trips to develop this report and locations.
Similar Species Discussion
March is generally too early for Flammulated which would have dark eyes. Saw-whet is the closest competitor and is similar but lacks the dark outer edge of the facial disk. Boreals have a pale bill while Saw-whets is darker. Northern Pygmy-Owl also lacks the dark outer edge of the facial disk.
Previous Experience
A couple of weeks prior to this encounter, I had spent a weekend with David Palmer, who was studying Boreal Owls on Cameron Pass. In two owling nights there, we did see at least 2 owls while we skied in to see the calling birds.
I would eventually get photographs, the first ever taken of Boreal Owls in the San Juan mountains.
Notes
Notes made DURING observation
Date Documentation Submitted
3/6/2024 3:32:00 PM
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