Screech Owls, Owl Boxes, and Owl Cameras

Invited speaker Mike Mitchell will talk about Screech Owls, the design and proper placement of owl boxes, and the installation and use of owl cameras. He will focus on Eastern Screech Owls, in particular. These small owls are native to the Americas, mostly solitary, and strictly nocturnal. Yet “screech” seems to be a bit of a misnomer for these little birds, whose call is most often described as sounding a bit like a horse’s whinnying.

Mike Mitchell has served 17 years as a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden, dedicated to conserving the state’s natural resources. His career spanned roles from field warden in Cameron and the Gulf Coast to Assistant Commander at the Austin Headquarters. He also instructs at state, national, and international conservation academies. Mike also is a Master Gardener and Texas Master Naturalist.

As per our usual procedures, the meeting room doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. However, please note: this month, the speaker will begin his remarks promptly at 10:00 a.m. The business meeting will commence after the speaker has concluded (approximately 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.). Members are asked to plan for the atypical and likely extended time frame of this meeting.

If the weather permits, there will be a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.