OWL Donations Bring Success!

Incoming!  Our fall population of NSWO was in perfect arrival timing with our first charitable contribution. Julie and Mark, winners of our "Owl Night Out" contribution to raise funding for student research (Candles in the Canyon-BCCER), were joyful about meeting our first two NSWO since opening on October 4. Banders Julie Shaw and Raina and Steve King introduced our project to the group and had a great evening (thanks!), we always enjoy showing people the darling owl that may live right in their backyard- sight unseen.

Candles in the Canyon 2013 Donation Winners - Owl What a Night!
All photos by Steve King.

"Pleased to meet you," owl guest and NSWO

Bling! Julie's glittery nail polish coordinated
with NSWO plumage. Nice Julie! 

We have been wondering when the owls would arrive.  The mild temps may be keeping them up in the mountains where there could still be warm days, snow-less grounds for hunting, and abundant prey or maybe they were just waiting for a charity event!  This brings our owl total up to 4 NSWO and 4 WESO (see earlier post). We have another event tonight - keep your fingers crossed XXXX

IT'S FOR THE OWLS! 2 INCREDIBLE FUNDRAISING EXCURSIONS

OWL Fans Unite! 
Fundraiser to Support Altacal's  Northern Saw-whet Owl Project!

Northern Saw-whet Owl nestling, photo by Marcel Holyoak

Two Unique Adventures at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve 

**for 4 Lucky Winners and 4 lucky guests!**

1)     Northern Saw-whet Owl Mist Netting and Banding - a nocturnal excursion!

Saw-whet Owl release, photo by Steve King

Tune in to the forest night life under the Milky Way, listening to owls; hooting Great Horned, trilling Western Screech, and tooting Saw-whets, and the sounds of other nocturnal critters. You will learn about the migratory ecology of the Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) in the Sierra Nevada foothills with avian ecologist Dawn Garcia and her banding crew. Mist-netting and banding will be conducted at the Reserve where Dawn is researching owl migration, now in its 8th season.  Guests will observe owl banding and data collection, and may have the rare opportunity to release one of the petite owls!  It is an easy walk from the banding station to the nets. A specific date between October 30 and November 30, 2012 will be arranged with the raffle winners as the season approaches. 

OR

2) Tracking the Northern Saw-whet Owl - a diurnal excursion!

Enjoy beautiful fall foliage and avian species such as red-tailed hawks, California quail, wild turkey, sparrows, hermit and varied thrushes, American dippers, and possible western screech/northern pygmy owls while tracking radio-marked saw-whet owls. Bobcats, mule deer, and bears are often seen on the Reserve as well.  Tracking may include crossing Big Chico Creek and hiking up steep slopes. The terrain can be strenuous depending on where the owls are.  Be prepared for an adventure! A specific date between November through December 2012 will be arranged with raffle winners as the season approaches.

"Luna" Saw-whet Owl roosting, photo by Julie Shaw

How to Purchase Tickets!

Raffle tickets will sell for $3.00/ticket or 2 for $5.00 at our September 17 and October 15 programs at the Chico Creek Nature Center and events: The Oroville Salmon Festival  on September 22, 2012 and Sacramento Wildlife Refuge’s Birthday Bash on October 13, 2012. You can also email me at conservation@altacal.org.  We will draw names for four winners on October 27, 2012.  ** each winner can invite 1 guest for the excursion of their choice.**