2025 Owl Banding at the Diane Moore Nature Center

Intermountain Bird Observatory's trained biologists will be catching, banding, and releasing wild owls at the Diane Moore Nature Center as part of a new migration research project. We hope to discover whether Saw-whet Owls are using the Boise River as a migration corridor.

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What: Meet Intermountain Bird Observatory scientists and experience owl research in action along the Boise River. Potentially see an owl in the hand while learning about their migration, behaviors, and conservation efforts. The evening will include a short presentation by IBO crews.

The IBO crew will open owl trapping stations at sunset. Net runs will be made approximately every 45 minutes to check for owls - if we catch any, they will be transported back to a central banding location and processed by the IBO crew. You may follow crews to nets, observe IBO crews banding and measuring any owls they catch, and potentially assist in releasing owls back into the wild. You could possibly see Northern Saw-whet Owls during the night.

Where: Diane Moore Nature Center, parking located near the intersection of Warmsprings Ave x Highway 21 (see PDF map in your confirmation email)

When: Weekends beginning September 20 and ending November 1. If the date you want is sold out, please join the waitlist! We will notify you of any cancellations or new openings.

Beginning at dusk, and ending around midnight. We recommend you stay at least two hours after the event start time to have the best chance of seeing some owls.

PLEASE NOTE!! The success of this activity is completely weather dependent, among other factors, and capture of owls cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, the safety and well-being of the owls is our number-one concern. Touching or helping release any owls is dependent on the behavior of the owls, the number of people in attendance, or any other factors determined by the owl banders.

This project is fueled by donations from visitors like you. Thank you! Please give online today, or plan to bring cash or check if you'd like to make a donation in person.

Please read the below information carefully.

• If you register but cannot attend, please be courteous and cancel so that someone else can use your slot. We will refund your ticket cost (minus processing fees) up to 7 days in advance.

• There is a roped-off staff only area surrounding the banding table. After birds are processed we will bring them outside the staff area for you to observe more closely.

Bird banding is unpredictable. We cannot promise that we will catch birds, but hope that everyone has the opportunity to see a bird be banded. Depending on how many owls we catch, visitors may be able to help release the birds by holding out their hand as a release platform.

We may close our nets early or not open the station if the weather is bad (too windy, rainy, hot, or cold). We may reschedule due to weather. Please check your email for updates before attending.

All ages are welcome.

This site is somewhat wheelchair/walker accessible (but please contact us ahead of time for details so that we can accommodate you).

**Parking and other important details at this link: https://www.boisestate.edu/ibo/science/river/ **

Questions? Contact Heidi: HeidiWare@boisestate.edu

There is POISON IVY at this location! Please don't wander off trail.

Please do not bring dogs to the banding area.

No vaping or smoking