Owls are considered good
indicators of forest health because of their position at the top of
the food chain and their dependence on relatively large tracts of
forest. However, there is little known about the abundance and
population status of most nocturnal owl populations in Canada.
The Ontario Nocturnal Owl
Survey was initiated in 1995 in response to a need by the Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources to assess populations of representative
wildlife species on Crown Lands in Ontario. Bird Studies Canada
coordinates the survey in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources’ Wildlife Assessment Program. Owls were chosen as
indicator species because of the apparent rarity of some species, such
as Great Gray Owl and Boreal Owl, the dependence of some owl species
on mature forest, and hence their assumed vulnerability to logging
practices.
This report summarizes
describes the trends in numbers of owls recorded by surveyors in
central and northern Ontario.
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Full Report (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required)
