Ontario’s owls come in a wide variety of sizes, from tiny saw whets and screech owls, to large great horned owls and even snowy owls. A course has been planned for Guelph that will give the public a greater understanding of these native birds of prey.
Those who participate in the University of Guelph’s ‘Owl: Who’s Whoo in Ontario’ workshop will engage in an assortment of hands-on activities that will help them learn to identify these birds through their different calls, their plumage, and other characteristics. They will also discuss their behavior patterns, what type of areas they inhabit and what kinds of habitats they need to survive. In addition to this, there will be a discussion of the folklore that surrounds these silent, nocturnal hunters.
The event is being facilitated by Chris Early, who is both a naturalist and author of the book ‘Hawks and Owls of Eastern North America’. In addition to the day’s activities, a night walk to look for these birds of prey in their natural surroundings will also take place. The comb binding process can be employed to create identification manuals and other course materials for a workshop like this.
The course will be held on January 13, 2017 at the University of Guelph Arboretum. The fee to register before January 5th is $95. More information can be obtained on the City of Guelph’s website.
