IYBC Saw-whet Owl Trip!

By Ceth Williams

On January the 19^th the Indiana Young Birders took a trip to Lafayette, Indiana to the property of Dr. Delano Arvin to take a couple of hikes around the woods to see Saw-whet Owls. These owls are one of the tiniest owls in the world so we were very excited to them. First, we hiked up to the top of a hill where an owl was resting in a grove of pine trees. It was hard to see, but it was still cool. In the next spot we went there was an owl right in the open making it very easy to get pictures. There was also another owl further back in the woods.

Around thirty people showed up to see the owls. There were a bunch of kids, but there were also quite a few adults. The kids got to ride on the gator to go see the Barred Owls because they would fly off if you walked to see them. We walked to see the Saw-whet’s. The gator was fun!  Sadly enough, my sock hat got taken off by a branch. But, we turned back around to get it.

The pictures of the Saw-whet Owl at the bottom of the hill were amazing. The little thing was right in your face.  At the top of the hill it was harder, but I still managed to find a hole and get good shots. It was dark where the Barred Owls were, but I was still able to get a few pictures. This property is one of the best places the IYBC visits. There are so many opportunities to see things you can’t always see together in one place and when we go we also learn about many other things in the woods.

IYBC’s next trip there will be in April. So I hope the experience is as good as it always is and maybe better. This is really one of the best trips we have taken. I will come and attend every event. I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I have.

Pictures (all by Ceth Williams on the Arvin property): (Top) Saw-whet Owl, (Middle) Barred Owl, (Bottom) Hornet Nest.