INTRODUCTION 



The boreal owl ( Aegolius funereus ) is a small, nocturnal owl found in 

 coniferous forests of northern North America and Eurasia (AOU 1983. Clark et. 

 al. 1987). Although generally secretive, the male boreal owl is often vocal 

 during the early breeding season (Feb.- May), and can be located using 

 nocturnal surveys (Palmer 1987). Previous studies indicate that only 

 potentially breeding males call ( Hayward et al. 1987), implying that owl 

 calling activity indicates the presence of breeding populations. 



The status of the boreal owl in southwestern Montana is poorly known, 

 though its presence has been established on a regional basis by confirmed 

 nesting studies in Colorado (Palmer and Ryder 1984) and Idaho (Hayward and 

 Garton 1983) • In southwestern Montana during the winter of 1984 four singing 

 males were heard in the Big Hole Valley during a coordinated survey effort 

 (Hayward et al. 1987) . Holt (1986) located boreal owls in west-central Montana 

 along the Idaho border. No nests have been found to date. 



Survey results in the Rocky Mountain Region indicate that boreal owls in 

 Montana occur in mature spruce (Picea englemanii) -fir ( Abies spp.) forest types 

 greater than 5. 000 ft elevation, which at times may be associated with 

 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta )/wet meadow complexes (Holt and Hillis 1987). 



The Region 1 of the United States Forest Service (U.S.F.S) lists the 

 boreal owl as a Sensitive Species, and thus is required to monitor their status 

 and population trends on forest lands under the National Forest Management Act 

 (NFMA) of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600). Additionally, NFMA requires that suitable 

 habitat be maintained to support viable boreal owl populations throughout their 

 range on Forest Service Lands. 



During the winter of 1989 a cooperative study of the boreal owl was 

 initiated between the Beaverhead and Bitterroot National Forests and the 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program. 



