First Documented Nesting of Boreal Owl in Rocky Mountain National Park [found on a BCAS Field Trip!]

By Scott Rashid, CARRI, Estes Park, CO

For the first time, the Boreal Owl has been documented as a nesting species in Rocky Mountain National Park.

On April 9, 2019, during an Owl Prowl Interludes with Nature field trip for Boulder County Audubon, we discovered a vocalizing Boreal Owl within Rocky Mountain National Park. I and a few of the participants even saw it enter a cavity and then quickly exit. In order to minimize disturbance of the area and provide the best opportunity for the nest to be successful, all the field trip participants were sworn to secrecy about the sighting.

I went back the following day to relocate the nest tree. Unable to find it during the day, I returned that evening in hopes of finding the male again vocalizing. He was in the same area and a short time later a female arrived and began to vocalize as well.

The male took his potential mate to the nest site. She later accepted it and began nesting in the cavity. I was able to monitor the nest for weeks, both day and night, and documented several prey items. In the end, the pair raised two owlets. I was even there when the first owlet fledged – it was quite the experience!

The best part of the entire experience was that I assisted Ron Ryder in the early 1990s with his study of Boreal Owls. Both Ron Ryder and Dave Palmer documented the first-ever nesting Boreal Owls in Colorado in the late 1970s and I am continuing their research.

If you would like to learn more or view images and videos of the owls, visit the CARRI website .