Category
Poster - Applied
Description
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a small owl that is a long-distance migrant. Many individuals migrate south for the winter, while others stay in one place year-round. They migrate at night, using several different migration routes across North America. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the migration dynamics of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. An audio lure broadcasting the male territorial call was utilized to attract owls into a linear array of mist nets. These nets were operated nightly from late October to early December, capturing owls for further examination. This method is essential, as the species’ presence is challenging to detect without mist-netting and banding. Captured owls were sexed using size criteria and aged using wing molt criteria. Previous studies of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl in Virginia have primarily been conducted in the Coastal plain and the Ridge and Valley provinces. This research carried out at Camp Hydaway in Campbell County, provided perspective into this owl’s migration patterns in Virginia’s understudied inner Piedmont province. In addition to being a relatively unstudied region, Central Virginia is further south than most banding stations for the species. Thus, this study also added insights into the saw-whet’s migration dynamics in the more southerly portion of its range. This survey spanned 2002-2007, 2012-2017, and 2020-2022, providing an extensive time frame for study. Due to substantial variations in the species’ reproduction and the degree of migration from year to year, long-term studies are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of its migration dynamics. This extended time frame allowed for discerning of patterns, trends, and influential factors affecting the migratory behavior of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. In conclusion, this study contributed valuable insights to the understanding of the migration dynamics of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. By spanning a previously understudied area of this species’ migration route and employing a long-term monitoring strategy, this study emphasizes the importance of sustained research efforts in comprehending the complexities inherent in the Northern Saw-Whet Owl's migration patterns.
Autumn Migration Ecology of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) in Central Virginia
Poster - Applied
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a small owl that is a long-distance migrant. Many individuals migrate south for the winter, while others stay in one place year-round. They migrate at night, using several different migration routes across North America. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the migration dynamics of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. An audio lure broadcasting the male territorial call was utilized to attract owls into a linear array of mist nets. These nets were operated nightly from late October to early December, capturing owls for further examination. This method is essential, as the species’ presence is challenging to detect without mist-netting and banding. Captured owls were sexed using size criteria and aged using wing molt criteria. Previous studies of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl in Virginia have primarily been conducted in the Coastal plain and the Ridge and Valley provinces. This research carried out at Camp Hydaway in Campbell County, provided perspective into this owl’s migration patterns in Virginia’s understudied inner Piedmont province. In addition to being a relatively unstudied region, Central Virginia is further south than most banding stations for the species. Thus, this study also added insights into the saw-whet’s migration dynamics in the more southerly portion of its range. This survey spanned 2002-2007, 2012-2017, and 2020-2022, providing an extensive time frame for study. Due to substantial variations in the species’ reproduction and the degree of migration from year to year, long-term studies are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of its migration dynamics. This extended time frame allowed for discerning of patterns, trends, and influential factors affecting the migratory behavior of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. In conclusion, this study contributed valuable insights to the understanding of the migration dynamics of the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. By spanning a previously understudied area of this species’ migration route and employing a long-term monitoring strategy, this study emphasizes the importance of sustained research efforts in comprehending the complexities inherent in the Northern Saw-Whet Owl's migration patterns.
Comments
Undergraduate