Media Advisory - Participate In Project Owl-Net
Maryland to Experience Largest Irruption of Rare Northern Saw-Whet Owls Since 1999

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WHAT: Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologists and volunteers will monitor Northern Saw-whet Owls currently migrating into and through Maryland from Canada for the winter. Biologists will use nets to capture the owls as part of the monitoring. Cameramen and photographers should be prepared for night-time lighting, but may use their own lights or flashes as needed.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
            Lamb’s Knoll Owl Banding Station
            Off Reno Monument Road in Greenbrier State Park
            Boonsboro, MD (Frederick County)
            * Rain/Wind Conditions Reschedule Date: Wednesday, November 7

            Friday, November 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
            Assateague State Park
            Berlin, MD (Worcester County)
            * Rain/Wind Conditions Reschedule Date: Saturday, November 10

Media nights at the monitoring stations are weather permitting. The study areas, roadways, and parks are closed to the public. Media interested in attending must RSVP to 410-260-8016 for directions to the sites and additional details.

BACKGROUND:

Rusty brown colored with streaked breast, Saw-Whet Owls are the smallest owl in eastern North America, about the size of an average human adult’s clenched fist and weighing as much as an American Robin. A rare breeding bird in Maryland, biologists have not seen such a large number of Northern Saw-Whet Owls in Maryland since 1999. Saw-Whet Owls are strictly nocturnal and seldom observed. The exceptional numbers of migrants this year offer very unique night-time bird-watching opportunities across the state.

During the month of November, four Project Owlnet migration monitoring stations in Maryland will likely net and band a total of more than 1,000 owls. For more information about Northern Saw-Whet Owls, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/sawwhet.html.

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November 5, 2007

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov