OWLS IN SAM SMITH PARK - PROPER ETIQUETTE FOR VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHING.

DAWN "OWLERS" AT SAM SMITH PARK

Winter is a great time for the chance of seeing migrating owls at Sam Smith Park.  Over the years, a number of different species have been seen – the Northern Saw-whet Owl, the Long-Eared Owl, the Eastern Screech Owl, the Barred Owl, the Great Horned Owl, the seldom seen Short-Eared Owl and, of course, our most anticipated visitor, the Snowy Owl.

But, it is extremely important to understand owl viewing and photography etiquette. These special creatures are large, intelligent, and they are well aware of your presence and actions. Please take extreme caution to not disturb birds even if that means missing out on a killer photograph. The birds are more important. Repeat: The birds are more important.

The undeniable fact is that a flushed owl is a stressed owl.  No matter what your intentions are, your actions can be detrimental to the well-being of the bird.  During the day, roosting owls are resting, hiding from potential predators, preserving energy and preparing for the evening hunt.  There is really no good way to get close to a roosting owl without stressing it out and decreasing its survival chances.

If you come across a roosting owl, take note of the bird’s posture and behavior.  This one is quite easy: A SLEEPY OWL IS A HAPPY OWL.  If the owls’ eyes are open, that’s a bad sign.  Does it look relaxed?  If the owl is doing its best to look exactly like a broken-off trunk or tree limb, with sleeked-down feathers and stiff, skinny look… it’s trying to hide from you!  You’re causing it stress, and its next move is to flush and risk discovery.  You need to back off.  The owl is concerned that you discovered it, and that you’re taking such an interest in it.  Immediately look away, slowly back off, and walk away.

Snowy Owls are magnificent birds that always attract considerable attention when they visit Sam Smith Park in the winter. Enthusiastic observers and photographers need to remember that these birds are already stressed by hunger and cold temperatures, so it is important to resist the temptation to get too close for a clearer look or better picture.

Snowy Owls, often inexperienced young birds that hatched the previous summer, wander south during the winter months when food is scarce in their Arctic habitat. The southward journey and cold temperatures require a lot of energy, as does finding prey in unfamiliar territory. Human disturbance can add significantly to their energy demands. The effects of disturbance can be obvious – causing a bird to “flush” or leave its perch – or invisible – making a bird too nervous to leave the safety of a high perch to pursue prey, or increasing metabolism and stress hormones. While a single incident may not be life threatening, the cumulative effect of repeated disturbances, which are likely to occur when an owl perches in highly visible, public locations, reduce the likelihood that they will survive to return north to breed.

Observers and photographers should practice good ethics by keeping a respectful distance from any bird. In general, if the bird reacts to your presence, you are too close. When the bird starts staring at you, you’re close enough and it’s time to back up. For birds on the ground this is about 100 feet. Flushing the bird is direct interference with its roosting and foraging behavior.

Seeing a Snowy Owl is a rare privilege. Set a good example for others by following and sharing these guidelines, and have a wonderful Snowy experience!  If you see someone not following the correct etiquette, please explain to them the effect of their actions.  Be courteous – they may not be aware of the effect they are having.

MINK AND SNOWY OWL FACE OFF ON SAM SMITH HEADLANDS

Two tough predators who don't seem to know that they should be very wary of each other.
Thanks to Sonia Marcoccia for these amazing images.

NEW BENCHES AT MARINA LOOKOUT

CHECK OUT FOSS BIRD FEEDER LOCATIONS NEAR SKATING TRAIL FOR THIS WINTER

There are two other feeders in the field due south of the southern parking lot and east of the Swallow Field.  Please feel free to put your own seeds in them - sunflower or black oil seeds ONLY!  Chickadees are known to feed from your hand at both these locations.

"NATURE IN THE CITY" - PARKS AND FORESTRY INFORMATION PAGE

There is also a link on this page to Anne Brokelman's stories and reflections.  Anne was one of FOSS's recent "Nature Sanctuary" photo exhibit judges and is a frequent visitor with her camera to Sam Smith Park.  Click here.

SAM SMITH "TREE ART"

New insect species recently discovered in Sam Smith - thanks, Irene Cholewka

"NATURE'S SANCTUARY" - SNAP'D!

Click here to read more ....

 

BIRD STORIES - GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

The Cattle Egret that has been entertaining birders and photographers in recent weeks appears to have finally left the park, heading for warmer climes we hope.   It had been making itself at home on the outer headlands happily gobbling up grasshoppers in the grasses and becoming more and more habituated to the constant flow of passers-by and dogs.  There had been quite a lot of concern for its welfare with people worried that it might leave it too late to head south and it might need to be rescued from the cold.

Yesterday, a Mute Swan was killed in the park either by a coyote or, more ominously, possibly by an off-leash dog.  Most of the headless carcass was left and not consumed - unusual for a coyote.  The swan must have put up a hard fight but eventually it succumbed to its gruesome death.  The swan was banded and a report was made to Environment Canada.  The band information showed that the swan was hatched in 2010, was a male and it was banded on February 22nd, 2012 in La Salle Park, Burlington, Ontario.  The Park Supervisor has also been notified with a clean up of the site expected soon.  If anyone has any information on this matter, please contact Friends of Sam Smith Park.

If anyone comes across a dead bird that is banded or has a coloured marker on it, here's where to report it.

BUSY BEAVERS

Our beavers have been very active in the park recently.  They are "stocking up" their winter food supply by placing tree branches (willow and poplar) in close proximity to their winter lodge.

Click here for more information on the Castor Canadensis. 

HELP NEEDED FOR WINTER BIRD FEEDER PROGRAM

FOSS is looking for volunteers for its "Winter Bird Feeder Program".  This program was started last winter, and was so successful that we are continuing it again this year.  We will be placing several small bird feeders around the edges of the skating trail at Colonel Sam - seed and suet feeders.  We need volunteers to check the feeders when they are in the park- hopefully at least once a week- and refill them when needed.  We will supply you with bird seed and suet cakes. The program will run from December till mid-March, to coincide with the skating season.

If you can help, please email FOSS.

ANOTHER "SECRET PLACE" SHARED.

Myrna Markovich found her Sam Smith Park "secret place" on a very hot day in summer when her walking group needed refuge from the sun.

Thank you for sharing your photograph of this cool, shaded spot. 

Check out more "secret places".

WHY CSSP A "BIRDING HOT SPOT"? - VARIETY OF HABITATS HOLDS THE CLUE

Sam Smith Park has been described as quite a small park, but one with a wide variety of natural habitats contained within it.  Those different habitats, naturally, attract a wide variety of migratory and resident bird species as well as other fauna.  Over the years, as the park has matured, it has become a birding hot spot largely for this reason.

Here is an idea of that variety .....