Banding will help saw-whet owls

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Indiana Dunes State Park naturalist Brad Bumgardner holds a stuffed saw-whet owl while giving a presentation. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media file photo

Updated: October 19, 2011 5:18PM

Something rather small is returning to a rather big reception at the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton.

The saw-whet owl is returning to the area and, at just under 8 inches tall, it is the smallest owl in eastern North America, said Brad Bumgardner, a naturalist at the State Park. He said these tiny owls fly through Northwest Indiana as they migrate toward Georgia after spending the summer in Canada and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,

The State Park will have three special evening programs (Saturday at 7, Oct. 29 at 8 and Oct. 30 at 7) to tell the public about the saw-whets and about its banding project. During these events, and on many nights until about Nov. 20, visitors will have a chance to see a saw-whet owl up close.

“Every night now, when the conditions are right, we’ll put up to eight bird mist nets in the woods and play the saw-whet call,” Bumgardner said. “If you’re an owl, and you’re migrating and hear that call, you swoop down to see what’s going on.

“If an owl flies into the loose net, it’ll generally end up in a pocket at the bottom. From there, we see if it’s banded; if not, we’ll band it, get some data from it and, before we release it, anyone who’s out that night can get to see a saw-whet owl.

“Although large numbers of these owls migrate, they fly alone. Since they’re solitary when they pass through this area, most people never get a chance to see one.”

So it follows that not much was known about these birds until fairly recently, when banding efforts began shedding light on these nocturnal, solitary birds with secluded habitats, according to the website for Project Owlnet.

The State Park is part of Project Owlnet, which Bumgardner described as “a loose association of about 100 owl-banding stations in the United States that share data and compare research.”

He said last fall, more than 60 saw-whet owls were caught or heard in research efforts at the park. He expects the numbers to be similar this year.

Park researchers and volunteers will be out most nights through about Nov. 20, whenever the conditions are right. Bumgardner said saw-whets prefer cold, clear and calm nights. At those times, anyone interested may join in the informal banding program offered by the park staff.

For updates on possible banding, call the Nature Center at 926-1390 or visit www.twitter.com/indianadunessp before heading to the State Park.

You can adopt a saw-whet owl at the State Park for $25, which includes an adoption certificate and photo, plus a chance to help release the owl if you adopt on a banding night. You’ll also have access to information about future sightings of that owl. Bumgardner said the adoption fee goes back to the program to repair or replace nets that often are damaged by heavier flying squirrels.

The Dunes State Park is off Indiana 49, north of Interstate 94 at Exit 26. The owl program is free after the park gate fee of $5 for Indiana vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles.