Western Screech Owl (WESO) Nest Box Cleaning Wrap Up 2024

February 14 2023

Each year, HAT staff and volunteers visit next boxes that we have previously installed throughout the highlands to do some needed maintenance. The purpose of this work is to make sure the nest boxes are in a suitable condition for the Western Screech Owl’s to use as their nesting season approaches. Although the nest boxes were installed for owls, they are not the only ones who use them. The boxes are coveted by grey squirrels, who fill them to the brim with nesting material. As cute as this is, it renders the boxes useless for the owls, who require a nearly empty box to nest in. Cleaning this material out ensures the boxes are clean and ready for nesting season. This work could not be done without the help of our dedicated volunteers. We had a lot of fun this year, and we got to see a Western Screech Owl nesting in one of the boxes! 

Coastal Western Screech Owls have declined in Greater Victoria by over 90% in the past ten years, and they are currently listed as a Species of Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act. Habitat loss from urban expansion and the consequent predation by Barred Owls are the primary causes of this declining population. Nest boxes work to support WESO populations by combatting habitat loss and providing protection from Barred Owls, who are too large to fit inside these structures. Today, the WESO population is mostly limited to the Highlands area of Victoria.

Learn more about the Western Screech Owl here: https://hat.bc.ca/westernscreechowl

What can you do to support the WESO population?

• If you hear a Western Screech Owl, let us know right away!

• Playing owl calls is a great way to learn the different owl calls. But be careful not to play owl recordings in nature as it can draw predators. 

• If you have suitable habitat, consider putting up Barred Owl-resistant nest boxes for WESO’s.

• Retain dead trees on your land, as they are considered wildlife trees and are important habitat for Screech-Owls and other birds. Talk to your arborist about how to move a tree for safety reasons while retaining a tall stump.

• Volunteer with the HAT's Western Screech Owl Monitoring Program