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.
Eastern Screech Owl
- Scientific name – Megascops asio
- Lifespan – 14 years (oldest recorded)
- Size – 6.5 – 10 in
- Weight – 4 – 8 oz
- Wingspan – 18 – 24 in
The eastern screech owl is a stocky raptor with broad wings and a short tail. It has a patterned plumage with streaked underparts. There are two color morphs of this species varying from gray to rusty-brown, with the gray variant similar to the closely related eastern screech owl. In Michigan, you are likelier to spot this gray morph. It has a large head with prominent ear-tufts, yellow eyes, and a yellowish bill. The legs are feathered, and it has large, powerful feet.
Eastern screech owls inhabit wooded environments such as mixed woodlands, deciduous forests, riparian woods, orchards, parks, and gardens. They are common in Michigan and can be found year-round. Eastern screech owls adapt well to the presence of humans and are known to live in urban and suburban areas near human habitations, often nesting in neighborhood trees. Listen for their whining call at night, and look out for them in tree cavities, nest boxes, and other human-made structures during the day. They can also be spotted roosting in shrubs or in the dense foliage of trees close to the trunk.
Eastern screech owls are opportunistic predators. They hunt nocturnally, typically from a perch. During the breeding season, insects, spiders, and other invertebrates such as crayfish, worms, and snails make up the majority of their diet. In winter, they prey on small birds and mammals such as mice and voles. The eastern screech owl is a resilient species capable of adapting its diet and habitat, making it possible to thrive in developed areas.
The Cache: The cache is a medium-sized lock & lock hidden a little off the Yellow Horse 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