Mike Jacobs: Nomadic short-eared owl makes another appearance

Earlier this week, I had a late afternoon coffee date in Larimore, North Dakota. On my way home, north on state Highway 18, I glanced left to look at the sunset and I spied a short-eared owl. Thus, the short-eared owl is bird of the week, besting the Thanksgiving favorite, the wild turkey, and several other seasonal species, including the white-breasted nuthatch. The common redpoll was another competitor. A flock of 30 or so showed up at my feeder array on Wednesday morning.

The owl won the toss, even though this is its second appearance as bird of the week this year. It shares this distinction with the snow goose, which appeared as bird of the week earlier in November as well as in March. The short-eared owl’s earlier appearance this year was in February.

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The timing would suggest that these two species bracket the seasons, being late winter and late fall migrants. This is true of the snow goose, but not of the short-eared owl. This is one species that you can reasonably expect to see every month of the year in the Red River Valley.

Not to say that the short-eared owl is common. Instead, populations vary considerably. Nor does it suggest that the short-eared owl is resident. Individuals may spend the year in the area, if conditions are favorable. But a short-eared owl banded as a nestling in North Dakota was recovered in southeastern Oregon, more than a thousand miles from where it was fledged.

No wonder short-eared owls have gained a reputation as nomads.

Short-eared owls are prey-dependent. If the populations of small rodents drop, the birds look elsewhere for sustenance. In years of high rodent populations, short-eared owl numbers may explode locally. This happened two years ago in Grand Forks County.

Last week, I mentioned Dave Lambeth’s sighting of a short-eared owl in Grand Forks. These sightings make me think this could be a good time to look for short-eared owls.

Contrary to its reputation as farmland border to border, Grand Forks County actually has habitat for grassland birds such as the short-eared owl.

The open, grassy areas around Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge are a good place to look. To reach the refuge, drive west from Grand Forks on U.S. Highway 2 and turn north at the sign announcing the refuge. The gravel road is usually in good condition and reaches the refuge in less than two miles. Grasslands extend both east and west of the refuge.

Another place to encounter these owls is along County Road 33, which heads west from Interstate 29 at the Manvel exit, about 10 miles north of the city. This road passes through several grassland areas.

You can make a round trip of it by continuing north. The gravel road crossing Kellys Slough reaches County Road 11 in about two miles. Turn west to Mekinock, then turn north on an all-weather gravel road that crosses another extensive grassland area until you reach County Road 33, which will take you back east to the interstate highway, again through grasslands.

Be on the lookout for rough-legged hawks in the area, too. These are migrants from the Arctic that often spend much of November.

The key factor for these birds at this time of year is snow cover. So far, it’s been an open winter, and I’ve encountered both rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls along the route I’ve described. Snow buntings are another possibility.

No promises, though.

Short-eared owls are poorly named. The ears – really tufts of feathers – are inconspicuous. For identification purposes, “floppy owl” might be a better name, because it would call attention to the owl’s unique flight pattern of deep wing beats with long glides and rapid dives. “Post owl” would alert a seeker of the short-eared owl’s perching habits.

Short-eared owls are not unique to North Dakota. This owl is among the most cosmopolitan of birds, occurring on every continent except Australia. For the most part, they are highly mobile, even nomadic, moving as needed to sustain themselves.

Nevertheless, the short-eared owl is a dependable species in our area, even if it is not abundant and even if it’s missing in some years.

So far, I have neither seen nor heard of snowy owls, which are strictly winter visitors here. Like the short-eared owl, they are birds of the open country. I see them fairly often on my commutes from our place west of Gilby to Grand Forks along County Road 33.

Jacobs is a retired publisher and editor of the Herald. Reach him at mjacobs@polarcomm.com.