How to Go Owl Watching

Know which owl species live in your area. Owls are dispersed throughout the world, with at least 37 species residing in North America. Get a field guide for birds in your area or for North America as a whole so you know which owls you're looking for.

Go to a known owl habitat and explore it in the daylight, looking for evidence of owls. You have to know the habits of the owls you hope to observe or you might not see the owls, even when they're in your vicinity.

Practice owl calls if you want to draw owls to you. Though your beginning attempts may not bring any owls to you, you can replicate owl calls with your voice with enough practice. Visit the Owl Pages (see Resources) to listen to the sounds that a number of owl species make.

Arrive at your owl-watching location before dusk so you can acclimate to the dark. Wear dark clothes and bring along some binoculars that function in low light conditions. If you're serious about your owl watching, you can invest in night-vision binoculars or goggles.

Wait quietly for owls to appear, doing owl calls if your calls sound close enough to real owls. Listen carefully for owls to call and also listen for the rustling of wings. Stay in one place rather than trying to follow the owls. This only chases them away.

Record your observations into a handheld recorder if you want to keep records of the owls you encounter. You can write them if you need to, but keep your flashlight off if you want the owls to stay in the area.