Photos (clockwise from top left): Northern Saw-whet Owl (Emma Buck); Great Horned Owl (Alvan Buckley); Short-eared Owl (May Haga); Boreal Owl (R Taylor).
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Owl surveys in Newfoundland and Labrador provide citizen scientists in our province the chance to contribute to important long-term research for some of our most charismatic bird species.
Owls are top predators and are vulnerable to environmental disturbances such as toxins and habitat loss, making them excellent indicators of environmental health. However, due to their secretive nature and (in some cases) nocturnal habits, they are not well monitored by traditional bird surveys. Birds Canada runs two different owl surveys in Newfoundland and Labrador: the Nocturnal Owl Survey (NOS) and the Short-eared Owl Survey. Both are annual roadside surveys, occurring in the spring (1 April to 15 May) each year. The Short-eared Owl Survey also involves conducting a second survey in the summer (15 June to 31 July). |
Information on owl populations is essential for developing sound conservation strategies, identifying species in need of conservation action, and evaluating the effectiveness of management programs. The owl survey data collected by volunteers ensures that we monitor the distribution, abundance, population trends and habitat associations of these important species.
Nocturnal Owl Survey
During the Nocturnal Owl Survey, more than 1000 volunteers across Canada spend a spring evening outdoors counting owls. Volunteers sign up to survey one (or more) pre-defined owl survey routes for one night between 1 April and 15 May. Each route consists of 10 stops, separated by 2 kilometers. At each stop, volunteers alternate between timed silent listening periods and playback of owl calls, and record all owls seen or heard.
Short-eared Owl Survey
Short-eared Owl populations have been declining rapidly across North America for the last few decades, and they are currently listed as Threatened in NL. For many years, the NL Wildlife Division has been conducted structured surveys for these elusive owls; however, because appropriate habitat is widely distributed across the province, provincial biologists were not able to survey all routes every year. In 2025, Birds Canada officially launched a citizen science survey for Short-eared Owls in NL. Employing the power of citizen science allows for increased coverage, ensuring that the majority of accessible and available Short-eared Owl habitat in the province is surveyed on an annual basis.
Nocturnal Owl Survey
During the Nocturnal Owl Survey, more than 1000 volunteers across Canada spend a spring evening outdoors counting owls. Volunteers sign up to survey one (or more) pre-defined owl survey routes for one night between 1 April and 15 May. Each route consists of 10 stops, separated by 2 kilometers. At each stop, volunteers alternate between timed silent listening periods and playback of owl calls, and record all owls seen or heard.
Short-eared Owl Survey
Short-eared Owl populations have been declining rapidly across North America for the last few decades, and they are currently listed as Threatened in NL. For many years, the NL Wildlife Division has been conducted structured surveys for these elusive owls; however, because appropriate habitat is widely distributed across the province, provincial biologists were not able to survey all routes every year. In 2025, Birds Canada officially launched a citizen science survey for Short-eared Owls in NL. Employing the power of citizen science allows for increased coverage, ensuring that the majority of accessible and available Short-eared Owl habitat in the province is surveyed on an annual basis.
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