Homes for hooters: build a nest box for an endangered owl
If you build it, they will come.
Head to Creston this coming Wednesday, March 4, to help construct nest boxes for endangered western screech-owls.
Native to British Columbia’s southern Interior, the macfarlanei subspecies of western screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii) primarily inhabits the Okanagan Valley. The small, nocturnal, non-migratory bird prefers to nest in the cavities of mature cottonwood trees, but has suffered serious habitat loss and degradation in recent years. Only 50 to 200 individuals remain in the province. While nest boxes are not a permanent fix, they do provide temporary nesting and roosting sites.
The Columbia Basin’s Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program is hosting this family-friendly event. Pre-registration is required (info@fwcp.ca). Cost: $10 for materials. The workshop will get underway at 7 p.m. at the Rotocrest Hall in Creston.