Milton webinar: Georgia DNR expert explains how residents can attract and protect owls

Linda May, outreach coordinator with the Georgia Department of Natural ResourcesWildlife Resources Division, told a City of Milton webinar audience that four owl species live year-round in the region — the eastern screech owl, the barn owl, the barred owl and the great horned owl — and that residents can take practical steps to attract and protect them.

"If you don't have that, put up a nest box. I mean, you will not regret it," May said, describing species-appropriate box designs and pointing attendees to nestwatch.org for plans. She recommended placing boxes in appropriate habitat (barred owls prefer bottomland hardwoods with streams; barn owls favor open fields or barn lofts) and said nest boxes can be effective even in suburban yards.

May emphasized simple habitat changes that help owls hunt and raise young: leave snags or cavity trees when they are not hazardous; reduce lawn mowing to increase rodent habitat; leave leaf litter where safe; provide a water source as simple as a bucket or kiddie pool; and swap constant bright lights for motion-activated or warmer-toned bulbs to reduce light pollution.

On safety around fledglings, May said fledging owls commonly spend time on the ground while learning to climb and fly. She advised keeping pets away and, in rare cases where a fledgling remains exposed all day, carefully placing it on a low branch to reduce predation risk. "Keep your pets away from it in the meantime," she said.

The presenter also addressed concerns about owls taking household pets. May said large owls may investigate small dogs or cats but that it is uncommon for an owl to carry off a full-size cat or dog; small animals, especially kittens or very small dogs, are more vulnerable. For people jogging near nesting sites she suggested wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella to deter swooping behavior during nesting season.

The webinar included audio examples to help listeners identify calls (screech, barn, barred and great horned owl vocalizations). May recommended apps and resources for sound identification such as Merlin and the Cornell Lab's All About Birds, and encouraged residents to report unusual sightings on eBird.

The session closed with practical maintenance tips: clean nest boxes in winter (January) if needed, use pine or aspen shavings in box floors (avoid cedar), and consider professional help for mounting boxes at challenging heights. May said her own nest box, installed about 40 feet high, has been used successfully in a suburban yard.

The webinar makes local guidance and links available through GeorgiaWildlife.com and the Georgia Wild e-newsletter; May invited attendees to contact her for follow-up questions.

Next steps: residents interested in attracting owls should match nest box style to the species in their area, protect or install cavity trees where safe, manage outdoor pets at night, and consult the cited resources for construction and monitoring guidance.