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Historic Status

In the days when the mixture of forested landscape and open farmland was widespread, Long-eared Owls were apparently also more numerous in the state. Largely understudied throughout most of the state’s settled history because of its particularly nocturnal habits, the Long-eared Owl had historic population levels that may never be fully understood. Anecdotal reports, like those of Edward Howe Forbush, writing in 1927, claimed, “It once nested rather commonly within the present limits of the city of Boston and a nest has been found there within recent years.”  To most historical observers, however, this species was always considered more of a migrant than a breeder.

Atlas 1 Distribution

Even in winter, when this species tends to be most frequently reported, the quiet and reclusive Long-eared Owl is a difficult bird to find. In Atlas 1, the problem was compounded by an extremely small and apparently shrinking breeding population. Long-eared Owls were found only in conifer-dominated forests in the southeastern part of the state. Aside from a lonely single Probable block in Weymouth in the Coastal Plains, all breeding activity recorded during Atlas 1 was on Cape Cod and the Islands. Stands of Red Pine on Martha’s Vineyard seemed to be particularly favored habitat for Long-ears, though mainland Cape Cod and Nantucket each had some evidence of breeding owls.

Atlas 2 Distribution and Change

The apparently shrinking breeding population of Atlas 1 became a definitely shrinking population by Atlas 2. After five years in the field, Atlas workers were unable to establish any Confirmations, and only two Possible nesting sites were identified, one on Nantucket and one in northern Worcester County. The Nantucket report pertained to two birds, presumed to be young, seen at the end of May, although their age was never positively determined and they were never relocated. The Worcester County bird was only heard once in late May.

Atlas 1 Map

Atlas 2 Map

Atlas Change Map