Northern spotted owl

At the time of this photo, this individual represented 1/3rd of Canada’s wild Northern Spotted Owl population. Devastatingly, their numbers have dwindled to just one since then.

This photograph was made in a relatively small patch of old-growth forest thankfully spared from the wholesale harvest that continues to dismantle the ecological integrity of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains - a place that was at one point home to around 500 pairs of these iconic birds. As of 2021, only one breeding pair remains. Compounding the myopic logging practices that have had a profound impact on this species, is the inrush of range-expanding Barred Owls who have been competing and hybridizing with Spotted Owls, as well as directly predating upon them since arriving on the scene some 60 years ago. Hope remains however, as a number of passionate people are working towards their recovery, through habitat preservation, predator control, and a robust captive breeding program, which you can learn more about and contribute to by clicking this link.

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