Superb Owl Weekend 2026

A superb owl weekend it was, indeed! Last evening two daughters, the Lab, and I went into the hills a bit to listen for a Northern Saw Whet Owl that had been heard by a few other folks in the last week or so.  So, as the darkness descended, we found ourselves walking up the Mini-Ridge trail.  

We met three other folks at the trailhead and immediately heard a Northern Pygmy Owl across the road in the Wakina Sky area. All agreed, it was a Pygmy- not the intended Saw Whet. 

Up the trail we went- just over 1/4 mile. We stood in the dark for about 20 minutes and heard nothing at all. We walked over to talk (very quietly) with the other three folks. They said that they had seen a Great Grey Owl just up the road a little. Then we let them know that someone else had heard a Barred Owl at the Helena Ridge trailhead a couple of night before. We threw in a short bit about my early morning walks on the Tenmile in a so-far-futile effort at seeing or hearing a Great Horned Owl.

With at least five species discussed in the woods, in the darkness, with other birders, we felt we had done a halfway decent job of trying to ID the Saw Whet. And we began to bid them adieu.

Then we heard a series of hoots at a slightly higher pitch than the Pygmy, and with a slight quickening of pace as it continued- that was the Saw Whet. Mission complete, we wished them well and adjourned.

Sunday morning rolls around and the Lab and I find ourselves walking on the Prickly Pear Fishing Access Site grounds.

We ended up seeing a Short-eared Owl – twice. Once when it spooked up and flew directly away from us (I was able to snap a couple of terrible, but diagnostic pictures), and once when it flew closer overhead being harassed by a mob of 20 Ravens and Crows. I was unable to get a picture that time, but I got a good close look with binoculars. 

So. Superb Owl Weekend was a success in our book!