Owls of Michigan
Michigan, with more than half of the state forested, is home to eleven species of owls. Spotting owls can be tricky since most species are inactive during the day. And owls, by nature, are shy and elusive creatures.
Here are some tips for successful owling:
- Learn – Find out about the species of owls in the area you are looking for.
- Listen – Familiarize yourself with the calls of different owls you can come across and listen actively. You are more likely to hear them before seeing them.
- Look carefully – Owls have excellent camouflage, and their plumages are adapted to blend into the night.
- Signs – Also look out for their pellets which are oblong or spherical and brown or grey in color. A large number of pellets indicates a nearby nesting or roosting owl.
- Be respectful – Be still and silent, and refrain from using bright lights, so as not to disturb or frighten them away.
This cache is one of twelve that were published for the 2022 Autumn in Oakwoods event. Each cache will focus on one of the owls that you will find in the state, many of which can be found right here in Oakwoods. A link to all 12 of the caches may be found HERE.
Northern Hawk-Owl
- Scientific name – Surnia ulula
- Lifespan – 5 years (maximum recorded)
- Size – 14 – 18 in
- Weight – 8.5 -16 oz
- Wingspan – 27 – 28 in
The northern hawk-owl is named for its appearance and behavior which is similar to that of a hawk due to its diurnal habits and hawk-like resemblance. It is the only living species of the Surnia genus. The hawk-owl has dark brown plumage with cream-white spots on the upper parts. It is cream-white below with brown barring. It has a large head with a v-shaped forehead and a gray face with a dark border. Its eyes and bill are yellow.
They produce a number of vocalizations, from the rolling ulululululul song of the male to the high-pitched raspy kip alarm call. Northern hawk-owls are inhabitants of the boreal forest. They especially favor areas disturbed by fire. They mainly nest in tree holes but may also use the old stick nests of other birds.
They are non-migratory but erupt south during some winters, taking to forest clearings, valleys, prairies, meadows, wooded farmlands, lakeshores, and pasturelands. This is a very rare sighting in Michigan, but hawk-owls have been spotted up north.
The northern hawk-owl is one of the few owls that are active during the day. It preys on birds, rodents, and other small mammals. It hunts in open areas usually from a perch as it scans for prey. Like the great gray owl, hawk-owls can also snow-plunge to catch prey below the surface, detected by sound. Population numbers of hawk-owls tend to fluctuate depending on rodent densities. They may be impacted by fire suppression practices and deforestation but the conservation status of this species is unclear. (Source: https://avibirds.com/owls-of-michigan/)
The Cache: The cache is a medium-sized lock & lock hidden a little off the Iron-Belle hike/bike trail.
| This cache is located within Oakwoods Metropark, a part of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority park system. A Metropark Vehicle Entry Permit is required: Annual Permit $40. Senior(62+) Permit $29. Daily Permit $10.
For general information please call 810-227-2752 or 800-47-PARKS. Or visit our website at www.metroparks.com.
All park rules and regulations apply. Park in parking lots only. Check the Metroparks website for park hours.
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The permit for this cache has been submitted and approved by the Southern District Interpretive Services Supervisor of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks