Nighttime Is Right Time for ‘Owl Prowl’

Upper Newport Bay might be the most popular wildlife-viewing spot in the county. It’s a place where nature lovers congregate to scan the rich variety of bird life that inhabits the mud flats.

That’s by day. At night, other creatures come out of hiding to hunt and forage, animals that make themselves known to daytime visitors only by the tracks they leave.

Once a month, the rangers at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve hold an “owl prowl,” a nighttime drive along the bay’s perimeter to search for nocturnal animals. The event’s purpose is primarily biological, a way to survey and keep track of the reserve’s night life, but visitors are invited to come along for the ride.

The next owl prowl is Saturday night, and upcoming events are Feb. 20 and March 27. Participants (up to 20) ride in the back of a stake-bed truck that drives slowly along Back Bay Drive, to the West Bluff trail and over to the San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve. Two biologists train a spotlight on the wetlands and record what they see.

On any given ride, participants might spot owls, coyotes, skunks, opossums or raccoons--”a lot of neat things that people wouldn’t normally see on one of our daytime tours,” said John Scholl, naturalist for the reserve.

“We desire to know what kind of wildlife uses Upper Newport Bay at night,” Scholl said. “We survey the same area each time so we can compare the kind of wildlife coming into the bay.”

Although the animals, particularly birds, that use the bay by day are fairly well-documented, that’s not as true for nocturnal animals. The information gathered in the owl prowls helps biologists track long-term trends.

“We can gather data for the future of the bay and index of the health of the wildlife population that comes out at night,” Scholl said. Prowls are usually held on or near the new moon, the darkest night of the month, because that’s when the animals tend to be most active, Scholl said. Departure times vary by the time of year; Saturday’s departure should be around 7 p.m., but participants should ask for a specific time when they make reservations (which are required).

The truck drives slowly and may stop frequently to watch a particular animal. Participants stand during the two-hour trip to get the best view possible. Scholl recommends that participants dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Binoculars are also recommended.

What: Owl prowl.

When: Saturday night (call for exact time). Also, Feb. 20 and March 27.

Where: Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, Newport Beach.

Whereabouts: From the San Diego (I-405) Freeway, take Jamboree Road south and turn right on Back Bay Drive. Turn left to Shellmaker Island where the road bends just beyond Newport Dunes Aquatic Park.

Wherewithal: $11 (free for members of California Wildlife Campaign and children under 16).

Where to call: (714) 640-6746.