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March 1

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Places to Visit and Explore Nature in Stanley Park Ecosystem Guides: Conifer Forest Stanley Park Visitor Map: with Park Features, Trails, and Destinations South Creek Trail

Barred Owl Ever wonder, how many owls live in Stanley Park? At least one owl species, the barred owl, is a year round resident, and in all likelihood, Stanley Park has just one resident pair. Its not easy finding a barred owl in Stanley Park, at least not for that part of the year outside the breeding season. These owls tend to be quiet, and for the most part, stay in wooded areas. In my first five years of walking Stanley Park's forest trails, I encountered barred owls only 4 times. So you can think of meeting an owl as a chance encounter. The first time I came across a barred owl was on Cathedral Trail. I would have walked right past the owl but for the loud and persistent scolding of a tiny winter wren which drew my attention to its perch on a low branch less than a meter above the ground. This photograph of a barred owl was taken on South Creek Trail along the stretch between Beaver Lake and Wren Trail. It was another park regular, Jean Carlow, who'd sighted the owl perched in a tangle of vine maple. The owl was resting about four meters above the ground and appeared reluctant to leave its perch, even as it began to draw a crowd (2) of human onlookers. The daytime perch likely affored the owl with a safe place to digest its latest meal. Even the sound of our voices and the 'clack' of my camera was cause enough for it to open its large, dark, eyes for only a few seconds, and then slowly close them.       Field Guide Entry: Barred Owl

Stanley Park Explorer http://www.stanleyparkexplorer.ca Produced by Peter Woods naturalist@stanleyparkexplorer.ca           Revised: May 20, 2011