NORTHERN HAWK OWLS (SURNIA-ULULA CAPAROCH) AND FOREST MANAGEMENT IN NORTH-AMERICA - A REVIEW

Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula caparoch) populations in North America likely have been stable over the past 10-100+ yr. Population trends a re impossible to quantify due to this species' remote breeding range, low breeding densities and erratic distribution and numbers during win ter irruptions in inhabited areas. Mortality due to incidental trappin g and shooting is unknown, but its diurnal habits and lack of fear of humans make it vulnerable to persecution. More than 50% of the hawk ow l's breeding range occurs in northern forests that are currently nonco mmercial. Until recently, the majority of the hawk owl's breeding rang e was unaffected by forestry practices. In the last 20 yr, forestry ac tivities have expanded in commercial northern forests. Modification of clear-cut logging practices have the potential to enhance hawk owl ha bitat. Variable-sized cuts of <100 ha, interspersed with forest patche s and staggered over time, are thought to be optimal. If cuts contain suitable numbers of stumps, snags and trees for hunting perches and ne st sites, they will offer year-round habitat. Other factors, such as c ut shape and juxtaposition, are probably less important to this striki ng sentinel of our northernmost forests.