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A Western Screech-Owl was spotted at the Springs
Preserve.

Western Screech-Owl
(Megascops kennicottii)

“In an effort to detect cryptic (hidden) nocturnal wildlife, we have deployed a number of infrared Stealth Cams™ at the Springs Preserve”, says Wildlife Biologist Dr. Raymond A. Saumure. 

The effort paid off on the morning of Nov. 7, 2007, when one of the cameras photographed a Western Screech-Owl.  Although some 150 species of birds are known to inhabit or frequent the Springs Preserve, the Western Screech-Owl was not among them. 

The Western Screech-Owl preys upon a wide variety of species including beetles, birds, scorpions, pocket gophers, wood rats, and pocket mice.  The presence of this species at the Springs Preserve is “definitely a good thing” says Dr. Saumure because “predatory species are required to maintain the delicate balance between predators and prey.” 

This is particularly true for the Springs Preserve, a 180-acre island sanctuary in a sea of urban development.  One other species of owl is known to frequent the Springs Preserve on occasion, the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia).  For additional information on these and other species of owls, visit the Owl Pages.com.

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