Saw-Whet Owl Banding

Sassafras Audubon Society contributes to Project OwlNet, an international research project dedicated primarily to the study of Northern Saw-whet Owls, a migrating species native to the boreal forests of Canada. Project OwlNet was founded in 1994. Yellowwood State Forest has been home to one of its research stations for 20+ years.

As part of this project, owls are captured using mist nets and audio lures so that they can be banded and a variety of measurements such as weight and wing chord can be taken (performed by and under the supervision of qualified individuals that have been permitted to capture and band these birds). When banded owls are re-captured on future dates, changes in location or measurements provide insight into their migratory patterns as well as their health along their journey.

Understanding these patterns is crucial for the conservation of this species. Sassafras Audubon Society contributes to this valuable research by providing funds to purchase mist nets and other equipment.