Morgan Paskert is with the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Morgan Paskert
Guest columnist Morgan Paskert is on staff at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is a nonprofit organization funded by donations, class fees and grants including Cuyahoga Arts & Culture through county residents.
Some of the most fascinating wild animals in Ohio are owls. Their mysterious nature, charismatic expressions and recognizable calls have sparked interest for centuries. Most people will claim to have never seen a nocturnal owl in the wild, but chances are they have been near one without knowing it. Both migratory and non-migratory owls can be found in Northeast Ohio throughout the year, especially during the winter months.
When people think of migratory animals in Ohio, waterfowl and songbirds are often the first to come to mind. However, almost every winter a Snowy Owl is spotted along the shoreline of Lake Erie as it migrates south from the Arctic. If seen, Snowy Owls are typically sitting on or near the ground in open areas along lakes and oceans. They are also known to inhabit airports, as the flat open space of an airport closely mimics their breeding habitat in the Arctic Circle. This week, Northeast Ohio birders were able to catch a glimpse of one at Burke Lakefront Airport.
In addition to the rare winter stop of a Snowy Owl, up to eight owl species reside in Northeast Ohio throughout the year. Three of the most common include the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl and the Eastern Screech-Owl.
Great Horned Owls can be found all across the continental U.S. and are among the earliest to nest in Northeast Ohio. Despite winter’s harsh conditions, females are already incubating and can keep their eggs at a temperature exceeding 98 degrees. After a successful nesting season, owlets will hatch completely featherless and heavily reliant on their parents around late February, and will remain near their parents until the end of summer. Great Horned Owls live in a broad range of habitats, most typically in woods interspersed with open land. They may be difficult to see at night, but a deep series of hoots will indicate one is near.
Barred Owls are also common to Northeast Ohio, but difficult to find as they are well camouflaged in large, mature oak and evergreen forests. Barred Owls claim their territory and tend to revisit the same location for months at a time. If they cannot be spotted, listen for their notorious hooting call that resembles the phrase: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” A popular pair of Barred Owls can be seen and heard near Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, throughout the trails of Huntington Reservation in Cleveland Metroparks.
The smallest of Ohio’s owls, the Eastern Screech-Owl, remains in the state year round. These owls cope with winter exceptionally well, despite their size of 12 ounces. Their hearing is so well developed that they can hear their prey move as it tunnels under the snow, making them successful hunters. Like most owl species, Eastern Screech-Owls are far more heard than seen.
Listen for their loud trilling call from the trees in most types of woods, city parks and even your own backyard.
If you cannot find an owl in the wild, not to worry! Join Lake Erie Nature & Science Center for an up-close look at their resident owls during “Owl Prowl” on Friday, Feb. 17 from 7-9 p.m. For advance registration, visit lensc.org or call (440) 871-2900.
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