Photo by: Joe Medley

  Scientists and land managers from across North America met for two days last month in snow-covered Yosemite Valley to share study results and gain insight into the status of the threatened Great Gray Owl.  The Great Gray Owl could easily become a featured icon for the greater Yosemite region of the Sierra Nevada because of the owls’ impressive size, the male’s booming call, and the species’ overall charisma.  Its sensitive hearing enables the owl to capture gophers and voles -- pinpointing prey in tall grasses or even down through a foot or more of fresh snow.  The Sierra Nevada is the southernmost extent of its range, and after so many decades of habitat impacts, the California population is now estimated to be only 100 – 200 individuals. 

CSERC has worked with local Forest Service biologists to do protocol surveys for the elusive birds.  This newsletter briefly highlights some of the current threats to these awe-inspiring owls and ways that their numbers can hopefully be increased over time.  Surprisingly, even research studies on the owls can pose a level of risk for the birds, creating concern and stress within the ranks of owl scientists from various agencies.