Montana's Man of the Owl

Last winter, dozens of snowy owls set off a birding frenzy when they hunkered down in a stubbly field near Montana’s Pablo Reservoir, south of Flathead Lake. By chance, the rare owls landed within hooting distance of Denver Holt and his Owl Research Institute (www.owlinstitute.org [3]). Although Holt works on wildlife from Alaska to Central America, he is crazy for Montana’s owls—all 15 species.

Q Been into owls long?
A Since university days in Missoula. A friend and I found a northern pygmy owl and a northern saw-whet owl nesting in the same tree. We watched them morning and evening and missed a lot of classes.

Q Are owls important?
A I don’t think animals need a purpose, but if you don’t like rodents on your land, owls are good to have around. Long-eared owls have eaten 40,000 rodents on a single ranch over the last few years.

Q Why so many snowy owls last year?
A We had one of our biggest years for voles (lemminglike rodents). When the owls found that field, they just settled in.

Q Will they be back this year?
A Can’t predict. Call the Montana Birding Hotline at (406) 721-9799. If the owls are around, locals will be glad to give directions.

Q Any other options?
A Listen to owls on the Web (owling.com [4]), then go out between dusk and dawn just before nesting season. Great horned owls, the easiest to find, nest in December and January, often near rivers.

Q Do all owls hoot?
A The large species tend to hoot. Small ones tend to be whistlers and tooters.

Q Has an owl amazed you lately?
A One snowy owl regurgitated a weasel skull—that’s rare.

This article was first published in November 2006. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.