Barred owls take spotlight at Audubon program

"Barred Owl Ecology, Expansion, and Controversy" by Adam Potts will be Mission Mountain Audubon's community program at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, in the Polson Library meeting room.

Potts, a research biologist with the Owl Research Institute, will explore the general ecology of Barred owls, with a special focus on their presence in Montana and their appeal to birdwatchers. He recently completed his Master’s thesis on Barred owls at the University of Montana, and will share insights from his research, detailing his observations on Barred owl habitat and nest site selection in the region.

Potts will also discuss the broader mystery of the Barred owl’s westward expansion, questioning popular theories of their spread across eastern Montana based on his field experiences.

The talk will conclude with an exploration of the growing controversy over population control measures. He will discuss the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to cull approximately half a million Barred owls in an effort to protect the endangered spotted owl and whether the Barred Owl should be considered an invasive species.

The program is free, and everyone is welcome.