iN PHOTOS: Majestic great grey owls hunt in Okanagan, Kamloops

Several nature lovers in the Okanagan and Kamloops have spotted the huge, majestic great grey owl this fall perching and hunting in fields and forests.

With its fluffy plumage and distinctive yellow eyes, the big bird is known for its eerie hoot and fascinating hunting abilities. It has a wingspan of 1.5 metres.

Found in dense forests and meadows in most parts of the province, the great grey owl doesn’t migrate, rather, it will move around following its prey of mostly mice and voles.

It tends to fly close to the ground hunting in the early mornings and late afternoon and can often be spotted sitting on a fence post waiting for prey. In the winter, the owl listens for prey and dives into the snow to grab rodents more than a foot below the surface, according to Audubon.

North Okanagan naturalist Harold Sellers was able to photograph a great grey owl near Falkland recently.

“The trick is to always be prepared when you’re in the field,” he said. “I always have my camera with me, ready for any opportunity.”

While the great grey owl isn’t listed as endangered in the province, it is at risk of habitat loss from human activity and climate change.  Sellers is careful to ensure he doesn’t disturb the birds.

“The best thing to do is to not reveal exact locations of owls, you keep it very general,” he said. “It’s the protocol for observing any species that is sensitive to human intrusion.”