Seward, Alaska
Background: According to the Alaska Sealife Center Facebook page, posted on September 29, 2022: “Last week we admitted a new Wildlife Response patient! This Western Screech Owl was reported walking down a road in Seward, Alaska on the 24-hour ASLC Marine Animal Hotline (1-888-774-7325). Western Screech Owls aren’t generally found this far north, but Seward is believed to be at the northern edge of their range.
“ASLC Veterinary fellow Dr. Emmanuelle examined the bird, took x-rays, and reviewed blood test results. Once he was stable, our team safely transported him to Bird Treatment & Learning Center in Anchorage for continued care.
“The vet at Bird TLC examined the owl when he arrived and concurred with Dr. Emmanuelle's initial diagnosis that he had sustained a head injury. Bird TLC reports that he is eating well and is more alert, but they have concerns about his eyesight and head tilt.”
By October 19, the Bird Treatment & Learning Center reported: “Good news, the Western Screech Owl continues to improve! Here he is getting an eye exam from Dr. Karen.
“Did you know Western Screech Owls ‘play dead’ when they feel threatened? Some predators wont’ eat prey they didn’t kill, so this is a helpful defense mechanism for smaller owls. They ‘come back to life’ when the threat has passed.”
I felt very lucky to be present on Saturday around noon when the plucky little owl was carried in a small, covered, animal crate up a trail off Nash Road. After a brief discussion on how to best release it, the door was opened. Without further ado, the Owl silently flew to a nearby branch of a hemlock tree and calmly looked around. For several minutes, he examined the hushed hemlock-spruce rainforest, turning his head almost 360, then down at the people below, gazing up at him. His mottled coloration blended in with the tree bark, perfectly camouflaged.
To my untrained eye, his formerly damaged right eye looked just fine, though he was in need of a thorough preening after his long ride from Anchorage.
I wondered if he recognized this neighborhood; if he had a mate still waiting for him. What a story of a routine flight for a snack gone wrong: getting smacked or blown by a vehicle, or hitting something (moose tracks reported nearby), walking in a daze along the road, then abducted and transported by aliens to another world, examined, enticed with food, then another long ride in the spacecraft and suddenly, back in the woods! No wonder he paused so long to consider this new reality!
The staff noted he weighed 180 g, about 6.34 ounces. The Owling website https://www.owling.com/western-screech-owl-biology/, lists the average weight of a female at 6.6 oz, and the average weight of a male at 5.4 oz, so the chances are this is a female. The wingspan is 18-24”, the length 7.5-11”, and the tail 3.5”.
I believe the first exciting report of a Western Screech Owl in Seward was in March of 2005 on Exit Glacier Road, 1.5 miles past the gate. Two were reported on April 16, 2014 in the Lost Lake subdivision north of town, and on April 19, 2014 at the same location on Exit Glacier Road. Another was discovered by the Burkes during the December 29, 2014 Christmas Bird Count in a spruce tree near the parking lot for Afognak Beach on Nash Road. And reported again on April 13, 2016 and August 25, 2016 at Exit Glacier Road.
Since then, owlers hope to hear them in late winter along Old Exit Glacier Road, Exit Glacier Road, Lost Lake subdivision, and along Nash Road. Tasha photographed a family in her yard off Exit Glacier road this year! It seems the population is growing in the Seward area..
Many thanks to the fine staff and volunteers of the Alaska Sealife Center and the Bird Treatment & Learning Center for taking such excellent care of this awesome little Owl! Success is so sweet!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
No comments:
Post a Comment