In the bird world, owls rank high among our imperfectly understood avifauna. Most species are strictly nocturnal, and they are adept in the art of camouflage. Sometimes one lucks into a roosting owl, but the vast majority remain undetected. They tend to be heard more than seen.
The most common breeding owl in Ohio is the eastern screech owl. Most people reading this live in close proximity to this secretive species but probably don’t know it. Participants in the 1981 Toledo Christmas Bird Count made a special effort to ferret out this species. They found a remarkable 112 birds within the count’s 15-mile circle, illuminating the true abundance of this mysterious species.
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If you hear sounds in the night, see a flutter of wings or eyes peering from a tree and know an owl is near, the Central Ohio Owl Project wants to hear fro
Seeking Ohio’s elusive owls
By Kathy Fox - kfox@aimmediamidwest.com
The Central Ohio Owl Project is collecting the sightings and sounds of owls wintering in Ohio. Of special interest are the Barn Owl (shown here), the Long-eared Owl and the Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Photos by Ken Busch
This photo of a Great Horned Owl was taken at Eastwood MetroPark, Dayton, in 2020. The owl project is interested in learning about all owls spotted or heard in any part of Ohio. Photos also are welcome.
John Coffman | John Coffman Photography
The Central Ohio Owl Project is collecting the sightings and sounds of owls wintering in Ohio. Of special interest are the Long-eared Owl (shown here), the Barn Owl and the Northern Saw-whet Owl.