Possible Western Screech Owl at Cheam Wetlands

[Chris]

I was at Cheam wetlands today and heard an interesting call. Right away I thought it was an owl. I knew it wasn't a Great Horned or Barred Owl because I know their calls.

The bird called 5 or 6 times and seemed like it was on the other side of the lake. This went on for 5 or 6 times and I was there from 9 to around 1020.

I get home and first tried the call of a saw-whet owl but the call I heard got faster was it went on. I then tried Northern Pygmy Owl but the samething the call I heard got faster. I then tried Western Screech Owl and that sounded exactly like the call I heard.

I don't like making id's based on calls for birds that I am not familar with but I am almost 100% certain that it was a Western Screech owl. If it isn't that what else could it be?

[Gord]

Ive had a few people mention this bird now lately from across the lake. I wondered if it was the Pied-billed Grebes but am starting to wonder. Screech owl would be great for the park!

[Chris]

Thanks for the reply Gord.

I have never heard a Pied-billed Grebe call and did listen to it and still think it's a Western Screech owl. The call lasted shorter than the Grebes call unless the Grebe just did the first part of the call I am certain that it wasn't the Grebe I heard.

However, I am putting the sighting as possible in my records but will be on the lookout for for the owl.