Families come out in droves to the Exeter area on an evening each November to find out about owls and how they adapt as night-time hunters, according to organizers of the the Owl Prowl night hike.
“Owls are fascinating nocturnal birds of prey, which have many unique adaptations,” said Julie Stellingwerff, Conservation Education Specialist for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
The ‘call of the wild’ is taking place this year (2009) on Saturday, November 7, near Exeter, at beautiful Morrison Dam Conservation Area.
Have you or your family ever taken a guided night hike and listened for the call of the Eastern Screech Owl? If so, you may be one of the hundreds of people who have taken part in the popular ABCA Owl Prowl. If you have not called for owls while hiking in a forest at night, here is your chance.
The annual Owl Prowl takes place Saturday, November 7 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the ABCA Administration Centre workshop at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, two (2) kilometres east of Exeter, just south of Highway 83, on Morrison Line. Admission is free but donations are always welcome in support of ABCA conservation education programs.
After an engaging multimedia show, participants go on a guided night hike to call in owls. Once your eyes become accustomed to the moonlight, you will be able to explore the wonderful world of owls.
“Eastern Screech Owls, one of ten different owl species found in Ontario, often respond to recorded calls that will be played on the hike,” said Stellingwerff.
Following the hike, fill your mug with complimentary hot chocolate and enjoy drinking it around an outdoor fireplace. Please bring your own mug to cut down waste created from using disposable cups. Hikers and ‘prowlers’ are reminded to dress appropriately for being outdoors.
Close to 200 people come out each year to enjoy Morrison Dam Conservation Area in the dark. “The Owl Prowl is a huge success and usually gets a great turn-out,” said Stellingwerff. “On a good year we see at least one Eastern Screech Owl fly over the group and most times we hear one or more owls call back.”
The workshop is located in behind the ABCA Administration Centre at 71108 Morrison Line in Exeter. To register, or for more information, contact Julie Stellingwerff, ABCA Conservation Education Specialist, at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail jstellingwerff @abca.on.ca
Feel free to visit the conservation authority online at abca.on.ca for more information.
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