BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 3, 2023
Maine has three common nesting owls. One of them, the tiny northern saw-whet owl, generally leaves Maine during the coldest months. The other two don’t migrate. In fact, great horned and barred owls don’t even wander very much. They always have some notion of their territories, and are apt to proclaim it periodically. Mating season has begun. The hootin’ and hollerin’ starts in August, but intensifies in October. Competing owls don’t like to intrude on each other, lest a fight break out. By announcing their territories, they can stay out of each other’s way. ~ Bob Duchesne