Owling Field Trip ReportMarch, 2026

Photo of Northern Pygmy-owl from the December 2025 Ukiah CBC

We had another productive trip up the Philo-Greenwood Road with Mike Stephens. The first stop produced the expected Great-horned Owl duet between a resident pair, plus a hoped-for Northern Pygmy-owl that came tantalizingly close but never quite showed itself. Mike told us a lot about both species as we listened to them hooting and tooting, respectively. The Pygmy was a good find for us, as they have been quiet the last couple of years, so we spent some time enjoying its distinctive call. Then we headed up the ridge and after some effort, persuaded a Western Screech-owl to call back. Like the Pygmy, it also came in fairly close but didn’t show. Next stop produced a very vocal Northern Saw-whet Owl, which was calling spontaneously when we arrived and was still going when we left. Having achieved all of the expected smaller owls, we tried hard for Spotted Owl, but no luck this time. We also did not hear a Barred Owl this time, which was a little surprising, but maybe a hopeful sign that they haven’t yet taken over that watershed.

Big thanks again to Mike Stephens for leading us and sharing so many great insights into the ecology of these fascinating birds.