The heavy snowfall in Nova Scotia this winter is prompting some of the province’s smallest owls to venture into more human-inhabited regions in search of food. Randy Lauff, a biology instructor at St. Francis Xavier University specializing in boreal and Northern saw-whet owls, explains that the snow cover is hindering the tiny Northern saw-whet owl, smaller than a robin, from hunting its usual prey of mice, voles, and shrews.
Owls, known for their keen eyesight and exceptional hearing, possess unique hunting abilities. Larger owls can detect rodents moving beneath thick snow layers and use their strength to catch their prey efficiently. In contrast, the small-sized saw-whet owls face challenges in hunting under such conditions.
Due to the scarcity of food sources, saw-whet owls are increasingly being observed in rural and urban areas with bird feeders this winter. These owls are attracted to the areas by the presence of mice and small birds drawn to the feeders.
Hatfield Farm in Hammonds Plains, N.S., recently encountered a saw-whet owl on its premises for the first time. The owl sought shelter in one of the barns before eventually moving on, likely in search of small creatures around the barn due to the snowy conditions.
Cherie Hatfield, the farm owner, notes the heightened activity of predators in the snowy weather and emphasizes the importance of allowing wildlife their space to survive the winter. She mentions that they kept the barn door open for the owl to leave at its own pace without causing stress.
It is advised by Lauff to respect the space of saw-whet owls if spotted in yards and to avoid disturbing them. Nova Scotia Bird Society has even restricted the posting of saw-whet owl photos in their group to prevent unnecessary disturbances to the stressed birds.
Snow cover can impact birds of prey positively and negatively. The contrasting color of rodents against white snow aids in spotting prey, but icy crusts on the snow can hinder hunting efforts. Harsh winters may lead to higher starvation rates among wildlife, causing exhaustion and increased efforts to find food.
Hope Swinemar, founder of Hope for Wildlife wildlife rescue center, mentions that while she hasn’t noticed a spike in saw-whet owls needing assistance this year, there has been an increase in barred owls in need of help due to road accidents during dusk hunting.
In conclusion, Swinemar emphasizes the resilience of wildlife in adapting to harsh winter conditions, highlighting their innate ability to survive challenging circumstances better than humans.