Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Northern Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis caurina
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Northern Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis caurina
The Northern Spotted Owl is one of three subspecies of spotted owl. Two of the subspecies are presently protected as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act, and the third subspecies is the subject of a listing petition and subsequent litigation to gain protection for it as well.
This medium-sized owl has a round head and dark eyes, with a large heart-shaped facial disk. It has dense, brown plumage marked by large, white spots that give the species its moniker.
Found primarily in old-growth forests, Northern Spotted Owls are most often seen among large redwood, Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, and other coniferous forests with structural complexity so as to provide for all the bird’s habitat needs. Such diversity is rarely available in forests less than a few hundred years old.
Which is primarily why the Northern Spotted Owl is on the brink of extinction. The old-growth coniferous forests that the species depends upon for its survival are also prized timberland. After 200 years of commercial logging, more than
95% of California’s indigenous old-growth forests have been lost. As one might expect, preserving large-tracks of old-growth coniferous forests from logging is the most important conservation issue for the preservation of the Northern Spotted Owl.
In recent years a new threat has emerged: introgression and competition with the Barred Owl, an aggressive but closely related species that is native to Eastern North America. Barred Owls have been documented displacing Northern Spotted Owls in several locations, adding to conservationists’ concerns about the species.
In the GGNRA, a good place to try and see this secretive species is in Muir Woods, where Northern Spotted Owls are known to nest, sometimes as close as ½ mile from each other. Marin County as a whole may have the densest population of nesting Northern Spotted Owls anywhere.
Conservation Action Item
Northern Spotted Owls require specific habitat conditions to flourish. Occasionally colonial, invasive weeds will alter natural habitats by choking out indigenous species and making it harder for Spotted Owls to find prey. Help restore owl foraging habitat by clearing invasive weeds in Muir Woods with National Park Service staff.
Trips
- Thursday, March 20, 2008, 1:00 p.m.: Meet at Muir Woods National Monument for an afternoon working at the edge of the redwood forest to remove
invasive cape ivy from northern spotted owl habitat. This vine chokes the vegetation prized by dusky-footed woodrats, the spotted owls' choice prey! Bring a bag dinner and then join a ranger for a night walk into Muir Woods to learn about the park's nightlife, have a chance to check-off northern spotted owls from your Big Year list, and experience the special qualities of an old-growth forest. Free. Call 415-388-2596 for reservations.
- Sunday, August 10, 2008, 2:00 p.m.: Meet at Muir Woods National Monument for an afternoon working at the edge of the redwood forest to remove invasive cape ivy from northern spotted owl habitat. This vine chokes the vegetation prized by dusky-footed woodrats, the spotted owls' choice prey! Bring a bag dinner and then join a ranger for a night walk into Muir Woods to learn about the park's nightlife, have a chance to check-off northern spotted owls from your Big Year list, and experience the special qualities of an old-growth forest. Free. Call 415-388-2596 for reservations.
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Previous Comments
Posted by: Cheryl Erb | 2008-05-23 11:19:55
As much as I weed my tiny garden at home within the City of Santa Monica, I never realized that invasive weeds can prevent owls from finding food -- this would also affect any bird who needs to search the ground for food. In addition to getting outdoors and good exercise, the above is another great incentive to keeping out invasive plants and weeds. Thanks, Cheryl Erb
Posted by: Rowan Rowntree | 2008-06-20 11:21:12
I know that controlled surface burning is a consideration in coast redwood habitat management. I assume this would be difficult in Muir Woods. Thus, does shrub and vine clearing tend achieve the same "cleared" conditions as controlled surface burning? Or, are there more benefits to surface burning that would make this technique an option? Many thanks, and keep up the good work, there!
Posted by: George G | 2008-06-21 17:29:12
Rowan, you might want to suggest that option at one of the upcoming management plan meetings, as the entire GGNRA is looking at revisiting management questions just like this one. http://www.nps.gov/pore/home_mngmntdocs_GMP2003concepts.htm
Posted by: Steve Price | 2008-07-11 11:16:24
A night hike with the Muir Wood rangers up the Dipsea Trail to watch the sunset over the Pacific and back down into the old growth redwoods in the pitch dark was great! Lots of questions led to the general location of the Northern Spotted Owls nest. I returned to Muir Woods at dusk another day and walked on a trail in the canyon where the owls nest. I heard the owl's resonant bark and later confirmed this as the Northern Spotted Owl with the rangers.
Posted by: Brent | 2008-08-10 23:32:29
Two young spotted owls were seen at Muir Woods near the old Hilltop School during the August 10, 2008 Big Year spotted owl restoration action. After we pulled french broom for a few hours we headed to hilltop for a lovely BBQ and the owls flew in, watching us eat for several hours from just a few yards away! Great looks, pictures, and even videos all around. Another magical day in the woods!
Posted by: T. Shields | 2009-03-30 09:54:49
We are a class of students, studying owls and their habitats in Northern Ca.
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