Introduction
The long-eared owl (Asio otis) is a rare and local breeder in the southern part of BCR 14. It generally requires dense coniferous forests or plantations for nesting. This owl has been in decline across its range. It is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in one or more states in BCR 14.
Habitat Needs
Long-eared owls breed in dense coniferous or mixed forests (heavy to conifers) or groves adjacent to openings used for hunting. It will use northern hardwoods on occasion but this type is not preferred.
This bird uses communal roosts in the winter and does not appear to have established or defended breeding territories.
Habitat Management Practices
Provide dense mature coniferous stands adjacent to open areas. The same coniferous stands may serve as winter roosting sites.
When assessing properties for habitat management potential, look for large openings in the southern part of BCR 14 with softwood-producing soils adjacent to them. Soils in Important Forest Soils Group IC such as Boscawen, Caesar, Champlain, Croghan, Deerfield, Hinckley, Quonset, Windsor are representatives of similar soils found in southern BCR 14.
Silvicultural Practices
- Retain a closed canopy characteristic in existing softwood stands. Group selection using very small groups may retain enough canopy closure.
- Manage mixed-wood stands to favor the softwood component and to retain or eventually reach tight crown-closure by using a series of light thinnings with entries spaced 10 years or more apart.
- Consider establishing coniferous plantations near openings on appropriate soils.
- Maintain the openings to perpetuate a grass and forb condition by mowing once every three years (or 1/3 annually).