A hoot of a time: York Land Trust, Center for Wildlife partner for Owl Prowl Night

Special to Seacoastonline
·2 min read

YORK — The York Land Trust and the Center for Wildlife recently held a sold-out Owl Prowl Night at Near Point Preserve.

Approximately two dozen adults and children enjoyed learning about owl adaptations and habitats and were introduced to two non-releasable Center for Wildlife ambassadors before the group set out to search for wild owls on the trails.

“The Owl Prowl is exactly the type of programming the York Land Trust likes to provide for the local community,” said Amelia Nadilo, executive director of the York Land Trust. “Getting out on our scenic trails, learning about the wildlife that our seven preserves protect, and participating in an interactive learning experience is what makes our partnership with the Center for Wildlife so special.”

Bob Dale Jr., of the Center for Wildlife, holds Fern the Barred Owl at the York Land Trust.
Bob Dale Jr., of the Center for Wildlife, holds Fern the Barred Owl at the York Land Trust.

The Center for Wildlife experts Bob Dale Jr. and Taylor Phillips presented a slideshow on owls before bringing out a 5-year-old eastern Screech Owl named Lucy, who came to the center in 2018 as a fledgling after she was taken from the wild as a baby when her nest was destroyed. Next up was a 5-year-old Barred Owl named Fern, who also arrived in 2018 after being struck by a vehicle and sustaining a permanent head injury. Barred Owls like to live near wetlands where they hunt their favorite prey, amphibians, and Screech Owls nest in tree cavities and favor areas near water.

“We are thrilled to partner with the York Land Trust and are grateful for the extensive trail network and wildlife habitats they support,” said Bob Dale, Jr., marketing and outreach coordinator for the Center for Wildlife. “The Owl Prowl series is one of our favorites as we have the opportunity to inform and educate about owls and the vital role they play in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.”

Eleven species of owls live in or visit Maine for all or a portion of the year. The three most common owls in the state are Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Many owls call York Land Trust properties their home as they require large expanses of unfragmented habitat to live and breed successfully. One of the York Land Trust’s most popular preserves, Highland Farm Preserve’s Barred Owl trail, is a great place for owl sightings due to its proximity to the York River watershed.

The York Land Trust and Center for Wildlife are able to continue their crucial work in protecting wildlife and conserving land in the greater York region due to their loyal members and charitable giving.

For information on future Owl Prowl nights, visit www.thecenterforwildlife.org/events.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York Land Trust, Center for Wildlife partner for Owl Prowl Night