Owl sound

[paulos]

Hi Fraser Valleyers,

I went to a local marsh at night last week to listen for Bitterns (none were there). I happened to be recording audio when what I believe to be an owl flew overhead and made a series of calls.

I think the likeliest is Saw-whet, and another birder suggested that because of the tone on the long notes in the series. The yips are also a bit like the alarm calls of Long-eared, but not close enough that I think that is what thwle owl is. I haven't found a close matching sound to these calls anywhere, and I wanted to see if anyone has other input.

Here is the EBird checklist with audio: ebird.org/checklist/S112004276

There are a number of Soras calling in the audio clip too.

[Ben]

I guess this is the only recording of it you have?

I listened through just about all the recordings of saw-whet owl on xeno-canto and for sure none of them match perfectly with what you have, though they do sound somewhat similar. Long-eared doesn't seem to match too well either.

I'm definitely no owl expert, curious what others think...

[Chris]

Hey Paul, I am thinking Saw-whet Owl as well.

When I listened to the recording, I realized how much I miss the calls of Soras!