Owls
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Eastern Screech-owl, Barred Owl , Northern Saw-whet Owl, Great Horned Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl
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Seven species of owls have a documented history of breeding in the state.
- Barred Owl was the only species to increase between atlases, perhaps in response to maturation of Vermont’s forests.
- Short-eared and Barn owls have been virtually lost from the state.
- Reports of Long-eared Owl continue, rarely and sporadically.
- The remaining species of owls are much more common in Vermont, yet three of them were recorded in 26 to 40 percent fewer blocks during the second Atlas.
- Possible reasons for declines include: increased predation associated with human development; succession of open areas into forest (Great Horned Owl); more limited nest sites for cavity nesters (e.g., Eastern Screech-owl).
- Changes in survey effort between altases does not appear to explain the declines observed between the first and second atlases.
