APAS Owl Banding Page

In the past few years we have banded Saw-Whet Owls at the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch as they migrate South. As with many owls, they are nocturnal and live in heavily wooded areas. This banding provides information for researchers to define the migration corridors of these owls and the habitats in which they move and thrive. In the few years we have banded, we have realized that these owls travel throughout the North East US and Souther Canada. The hope is that habitats where the owls nest, hunt, migrate, and winter over can be identified and preserved.

The banding process involves the setting up of mist nets that will trap owls coming into a call. The owls are measured, weighed, sexed and then banded by a licensed bander. From there the owl is released with the hope that other banders will be able to reacapture the owl in a different area. The process takes less than 10 minutes per owl and the banders consider the health and welfare of the owl to be most important. In rare cases, owls have been captured with illnesses and injuries and have been given to rehabilitation centers. All of them, so far, have been able to return to the wild.

WJAC TV our local tv station did a feature on the owl banding at the Front. Here is a link to the story's website. You can watch the feature from there:

http://www.wjactv.com/somersetcounty/21645910/detail.html
Check out the results of the owl banding on our bulletin board. Look under the Bird & Wildlife Bulletins

There are also some great information and pics of Saw Whet owls at the Owling.com website

We invite the public to observe the banding process when announced on our website.

The banding is conducted at nights when the weather conditions are favorable and the bander is available. This is mostly on the weekend. We announce the times on our website and through the APAS Members' Bulletin List. If you would like to attend, please be sure that the banding is still scheduled by checking our web site before you leave. If there is any precipitation, we will probably end the banding activities so I would recommend not coming if any precip starts to occur. We are willing to establish a phone list for the banding if you wish to be notified of schedules and changes. Email the webmaster with that request at the address given below.

Please note... The banding is conducted on private property whose owners have graciously allowed us to conduct the banding. We expect everyone to respect the landowners' rights and to cooperate with the counter and other APAS members' requests. You are welcome to the front when there are activities there but the watch and front are otherwise closed to the public. In general, do not enter the property if the blue gate is closed.

1) flashlights. This a night activity so you will need flashlights to walk around. The ground is uneven so care has to be taken! Many people find the flashlights you strap to you head to be very helpful.

3) good shoes extra clothes and blankets!! The front is always colder and windier than most areas so plan accordingly.

4) snacks & drinks if you want but remember that this is a pack it in, pack it out site

Parking is limited. This means that you may have to park outside the gate and have to take the short walk into the site. If you are concerned, contact the webmaster at the address given below.

Of course, nature being as it is, we can not promise that we will catch an owl while you are there. It is up to the owls and the weather as to how they travel and whether we will capture them. Plan on this possibility. With a clear night, the sky is usually brilliant with stars and planets and the view from the watch at night is neat to see so there is probably something there to attract your attention.