Northern Pygmy-Owl— Photo: Barry Zimmer

Join researchers for six days of owl hooting, observation, and research. Montana boasts the largest number of breeding owl species of any state in the United States. Fifteen species of owls occur in Montana, of which 14 species breed: American Barn Owl, Flammulated Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Burrowing Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Boreal Owl, Long-eared Owl, and Short-eared Owl. Snowy Owls are regular winter visitors.

We will observe researchers of the Owl Research Institute who are conducting a long-term study of Long-eared Owls. They will capture, band, weigh, measure, and record other biological data. We will collect and dissect owl pellets in the field. We will discuss the natural history of Montana owls, and evolutionary adaptations in owls—how do owls hear, see, fly silently, camouflage, hunt, and other interesting facts. If the weather permits, we will venture out one evening to try and observe the elaborate courtship flight of the Short-eared Owl.

A unique learning experience with owl expert Denver Holt as leader; good to very good accommodations and cuisine; good weather expected, but rain and snow possible.

Read an excerpt of a National Geographic article about Snowy Owls featuring Montana Owl Workshop leader Denver Holt at nationalgeographic.com. Read more about the Owl Research Institute at http://www.owlinstitute.org/