This event is currently full. Keep an eye out in case we are able to add another Owl Prowl in early March.
With cold winters and long dark nights comes the opportunity to experience the unique magic of being outdoors in the brightness of a full moon on snow.
On Wednesday, February 24 at 6:30PM, join the Chocorua Lake Conservancy’s Stewardship Director Lynne Flaccus for an evening Owl Prowl. We’ll take a walk from The Preserve at Chocorua, listening and calling for owls and experiencing the world of nocturnal animals by the light of a near full moon. Snow, rain, or wind date is Thursday, February 25, 6:30PM.
As one of nature’s amazing “living mouse traps,” owls play an important role in the fields and forests of this area, even though we may not see or hear them often. Special feathers, eyesight and hearing serve owls well as nighttime hunters. As we walk, we’ll try some experiments that will help demonstrate some of these unique owl adaptations.
Great horned owls and barred owls are some of the earliest nesting birds here in NH, laying eggs during the months of January through March in spite of cold temperatures and snow. Listening for their calls at night is a wonderful way to locate where they may be living in the surrounding forests. A moonlit night affords the possibility to see their shadowy silhouette as well. No guarantees that we will find owls on this walk, but you won’t regret spending time out in the bright winter night.
Meet by 6:30PM at the parking area for The Preserve at Chocorua, at 88 Philbrick Neighborhood Road in Tamworth. Please wear a mask, warm layers, and bring a flashlight, and snowshoes if you have them. Our path will depend on ground conditions, but snowshoes or ice grippers may come in handy. This event is free, and all ages are welcome; kids, please bring an adult with you. Space is limited. Please sign up in advance by emailing lflaccus@chocorualake.org with your phone number, so that we can let you know if plans change, including if the State of NH issues new Covid-19 directives. Have questions or want a trail conditions report? Call the CLC office at 603-323-6252. Do also join us via Zoom on Tuesday, February 16 at 7PM to learn even more about owls!
Naturalist Lynne Flaccus has more than 30 years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.
Banner credit: Phillip Brown via Unsplash.