Using Community Science and Satellite Tracking to Uncover the Nesting and Hunting Habits of Great Horned Owls in Southern Saskatchewan

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Presenter: Tory Hartley-Cox

Abstract: The prairies have undergone significant changes since European settlement, leading to shifts in wildlife populations and behaviour. Once limited in number, the Great Horned Owl has adapted remarkably to human-altered landscapes and is now common across Saskatchewan. While their thriving population is a positive sign, their increased presence in remaining native grasslands has raised concerns for species-at-risk conservation efforts. This presentation will share findings from a University of Regina master’s project that combined community science with satellite tracking to study Great Horned Owl nest site selection and hunting behaviour in southern Saskatchewan. The research aims to provide scientific insights for habitat management strategies that protect vulnerable species from owl predation in sensitive native grasslands.

Bio: Tory Hartley-Cox has received her Master’s degree from the University of Regina, where her research focuses on Great Horned Owls. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Prince Edward Island and has been involved in avian research and endangered species conservation since 2016. Her work has taken her to Australia, Florida, and Alberta, where she aided in Burrowing Owl conservation efforts. In January, she will begin her PhD at McMaster University, focusing on Sapsucker conservation along logging routes in Southcentral BC.