Screech-Owl Monitoring | Conservancy Program

What is the Screech-Owl Monitoring Program?

This program helps stabilize and monitor Western Screech-Owls in the Lower Mainland.

The Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a species at risk of extinction. In British Columbia, two subspecies of Western Screech-Owl (kennicottii and macfarlanei) are found in different parts of the province: kennicottii on the South coast, and macfarlanei in the South-central interior. It is estimated that this species has seen a 90% population decline in recent years, with only 750-1500 breeding-aged kennicottii subspecies individuals thought to remain in the wild.

The Fraser Valley Conservancy’s monitoring program focuses on the kennicottii subspecies.

By installing and monitoring nest boxes, we provide habitat opportunities for Western Screech-Owls and learn more about how to protect the population.

What Does the Screech-Owl Monitoring Program Do?

Create nesting habitat

We have installed boxes in >30 sites across the Lower Mainland, including parks and private properties.

Monitor nesting success

We monitor >225 boxes annually with the help of our dedicated volunteers and supporters.

Find new populations

We use audio recording units to listen for Western Screech-Owl calls in areas with intact habitat.

Nest Boxes In Action

Sometimes our nest boxes have unexpected visitors. Check out this peeper camera footage of a clutch of Northern Saw-whet Owls in a monitored box.

Have You Heard Me?

Listen to the call of the Western Screech-Owl. If you’ve heard this call, let us know. Your observations could help find and protect this important owl species.

Listen Now Send Email

How Can I Help?

Install an Owl Box

If you live in a rural area, your property may be suitable for Western Screech-Owls. Acreages with forest patches, especially those with mature cottonwood trees near the Fraser River or Chilliwack River, are the most promising areas for these owls.

If you are interested in finding out more about owl boxes, send an email to Sofi@fraservalleyconservancy.ca

Learn Your Owl ID

Western Screech-Owls can be hard to find and often confused with the larger Barred Owl. Unfortunately, there is a concern that the expanding Barred Owl population may be displacing the smaller Western Screech-Owl.

Learning to identify owls by sight and sound will make you an important ally in the work to protect this rare species. Check out the call file above and the Owl ID pdf below.

Protect Habitat

The Western Screech-Owl depends on mature, mixed lowland coastal forests. To picture this type of habitat, think of those big, old undisturbed cottonwood forests along the Fraser River. These older forests contain snags and trees with large cavities, which are perfect for nesting owls. Forests like this also have a more open and diverse understory which gives their prey a place to live too!

Biologists believe Western screech-Owl’s rapid decline is largely due to loss of habitat – including the loss of nesting sites due to the removal of large, decaying trees (also called wildlife trees).

Submit Your Sightings

Report sightings of Western Screech-Owls to iNaturalist or the BC Government’s Wildlife Reporting Tool.

Get Involved

Join our Volunteer program to support our monitoring and conservation work.

Become a member of the FVC to help our organization protect Western Screech-Owls and other species at risk across the Fraser Valley.

Additional Information

Owls of BC South Coast ID

Download

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Species Profile

Report Incidental Sightings - Provincial

Program Partners

Our Western Screech-Owl Monitoring is made possible by these partner organizations. Thank you.