Populations of great horned owls in southern Saskatchewan have increased in recent years and researchers want to figure out why.
That’s where a citizen science project comes in from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the University of Regina.
Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the RSM, Dr. Ryan Fisher, says the theory is that these owls like to hunt from high vantage points, like power poles, fence posts and from planted trees in farmyards.
They also like to nest in the shelterbelts, abandoned buildings and other human-made structures.
This is where the citizen science comes in.
If you see a great horned owl, you are asked to log where you saw it through a link on the RSM’s website. A link is provided below.
Dr. Fisher cautions those who are searching for these owls to be respectful and watch from a distance because they are extremely sensitive to disturbance, and right now is nesting season.
