Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop
Join us for a hands-on Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop and discover what owls eat up close!
Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop
Join Nature Nova Scotia for an engaging, hands-on owl pellet dissection workshop. Owl pellets are not droppings, but compact bundles of fur, feathers, and bones that owls regurgitate after feeding. Using tweezers and other simple tools, participants will carefully dissect real owl pellets to uncover tiny bones and even skulls from the animals owls prey upon.
With the help of identification charts, you’ll match the bones you find to different prey species, similar to the methods scientists use to study owl diets. Along the way, you’ll learn about owl feeding habits, food webs, and what owl pellets can reveal about local ecosystems. Participants will also have the opportunity to keep the bones they discover.
The event will feature a special guest presentation by Randy Lauff, Senior Laboratory Instructor at St. Francis Xavier University for over 30 years. Randy has conducted research on carrion beetles, horse flies, and aquatic insects, and has spent many years studying Northern Saw-whet and Boreal Owls, including discovering the first provincial nesting record of the Boreal Owl in 2004. He lives off-grid in a solar-powered home with his wife Krista and their son Jacob.
This interactive workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore owl ecology through a fascinating and hands-on scientific activity.
Recommended for ages 14+.Tickets are available on Eventbrite
Join us for a hands-on Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop and discover what owls eat up close!
Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop
Join Nature Nova Scotia for an engaging, hands-on owl pellet dissection workshop. Owl pellets are not droppings, but compact bundles of fur, feathers, and bones that owls regurgitate after feeding. Using tweezers and other simple tools, participants will carefully dissect real owl pellets to uncover tiny bones and even skulls from the animals owls prey upon.
With the help of identification charts, you’ll match the bones you find to different prey species, similar to the methods scientists use to study owl diets. Along the way, you’ll learn about owl feeding habits, food webs, and what owl pellets can reveal about local ecosystems. Participants will also have the opportunity to keep the bones they discover.
The event will feature a special guest presentation by Randy Lauff, Senior Laboratory Instructor at St. Francis Xavier University for over 30 years. Randy has conducted research on carrion beetles, horse flies, and aquatic insects, and has spent many years studying Northern Saw-whet and Boreal Owls, including discovering the first provincial nesting record of the Boreal Owl in 2004. He lives off-grid in a solar-powered home with his wife Krista and their son Jacob.
This interactive workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore owl ecology through a fascinating and hands-on scientific activity.
Recommended for ages 14+.Tickets are available on Eventbrite
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 hours
- all ages
- In person
Refund Policy
Location
Findlay Community Centre
26 Elliot Street
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2X7
How do you want to get there?
