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Rokeby & Crossover Friends Group Inc.
![Boobooks:
The Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae), also called the Tasmanian spotted owl, is a small brown owl found throughout New Zealand, Tasmania, across most of mainland Australia and in Timor, southern New Guinea and nearby islands. This bird is the smallest owl in Australia and is the continent's most widely distributed and common owl. The bird has almost 20 alternative common names, most of which – including mopoke, morepork, ruru and boobook itself – are onomatopoeic, as they emulate the bird's distinctive two-pitched call.[1] Two subspecies, the Lord Howe Boobook and the Norfolk Island Boobook, both became extinct during the 20th century.](nightwalk_files/shapeimage_2.png)
Pre walk talk takes about 45 minutes. Spotlight walk usually goes for about an hour, more or less - depends on how keen people are.
Bring torches, and be dressed for a night time walk through the forest. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
![Powerful Owl:
The Powerful Owl has large yellow eyes, grey-brown V-barring on all features and dull yellow feet. They are aptly named, with very powerful and heavy claws. This owl is the largest species of the "hawk owl" group. This species measures 45–65 cm (18–26 in) in length and spans 112–135 cm (44–53 in) across the wings. Unlike in most owl species, the male, at 1.15–1.7 kg (2.5–3.7 lb) is slightly larger than the female, at 1.05–1.6 kg (2.3–3.5 lb).[2] Some authors claim weights of up to 2.2 kg (4.9 lb).[3]](nightwalk_files/shapeimage_6.png)
About the nights presenter
Dr. Rolf Willig
Bio: PhD in animal behavior. Worked for DSE and earlier incarnations for over twenty years, firstly in Forest Management, then in Biodiversity. Was involved with development of forest management plans where I first was introduced to owling by Ed McNabb. In late 90s and early 2000s worked with Ed and Richard Loyn developing owl protection zones and owl habitat models, and field checking the same. Since 2006 have developed and conducted the Central Gippsland Owl Monitoring Program ably offsided by Parks Victoria Ranger Shane Atkins, and many volunteers.
Masked Owl:
Brown feathers surround a white, heart-shaped mask. Their dorsal plumage is brown, aside from light gray spots on the upper back. Their front is white with brown spots. Their eye color varies from black to dark brown. Females are darker shaded and larger than males.
Masked Owls show strong reverse sexual dimorphism. A male Masked Owl's weight ranges from 420-800 g, while females are typically much larger ranging from 545-1260 g.[2] Length ranges between 330–410 mm for males and 390–500 mm for females. Wing span is up to 1280 mm for southern female Masked Owls. Masked Owl follow the typical pattern of birds from the tropics being much smaller than birds from temperate regions. In this instance, Tasmanian Masked Owls are the largest.