Flashlights illuminated the limestone loop at Overton Park just after dusk Saturday, March 4, as 20 locals gathered for the first official Overton Park Conservancy Owl Prowl.

An “owl prowl” is a session of owl watching, taking place during nighttime when the evasive nocturnal species is most active. 

Overton Park Conservancy programs manager Malle Carrasco-Harris got the idea for Owl Prowl after noticing the practice had an increase in popularity at other Tennessee parks. 

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“Overton Park is one of only three Old Forest State Natural Areas, which means it’s protected by the state for people to enjoy,” Carrasco-Harris said. “That’s one of the great things about the forest because you have a really great habitat for owls and other species.”

As the sun was setting around 6:15 p.m., parents and kids alike enjoyed a pre-prowl snack of hot cocoa and chocolate cookies at the Overton Park pavilion just off East Parkway.

OPC Executive Director Tina Sullivan sat wearing a yellow reflective vest as she watched the rambunctious group of children run across the pavilion.

“We’re the only urban old growth forest in the southeast United States, so we have an opportunity to expose families, kids and adults to deep nature experiences in ways you can’t get in other parks around town,” Sullivan said. “There’s so much research about why spending time in nature is important and makes you happier, healthier and more creative.”

Attendees grabbed flashlights as they set out to search for their first species of the night, the Eastern screech owl.

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The eastern screech owl is roughly the size of a robin but there have been no confirmed sightings of the species in Overton Park, according to Carrasco-Harris.

Encouraging participants to stay quiet, Carrasco-Harris used a speaker and smartphone to emit the call of the owl species, which resembles whinnies and soft trills.

But it was no dice for the screech owl, and the species wasn’t heard or spotted on the trail.

Carrasco-Harris then chose to emit the call of a barred owl, which has had confirmed sightings in the park. Many are likely familiar with the barred owl’s call, which is often referred to and sounds like the phrase “Who cooks for you?”

Just near the edge of the Overton Park golf course, the Owl Prowl participants got lucky: a barred owl was perched high up on a thick tree branch bent into the shape of a V.

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Overton Park ranger Ethan Moore helped Jenna Yamrick, 7, get a view of the owl by putting a flashlight next to her forehead to illuminate the creature. Upon seeing the owl’s eyes, Yamrick knew she had officially spotted a barred owl. 

“It’s right inside that big branch,” Yamrick said. “There’s a big bump on a branch, and it’s in-between there. He sometimes puts his face towards us, and you can see his eyes.”

The third search of the night was the great horned owl which has long, earlike tufts and a deep hooting voice. With the species nowhere in sight despite emitting the call, the group headed back to the pavilion.

But on the way the Owl Prowl turned into something of a nature walk as children stopped to observe a centipede and garden spider on the woodland trail.

Carrasco-Harris said while the Owl Prowl evening ended up being rather quiet, she was pleased the children were able to spot an owl first-hand.

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“It’s really surprisingly quiet throughout the entire forest, but I’m happy we had a student find an owl by their eyes,” Carrasco-Harris said. “That’s even luckier to find one by eye shine, because their eyes are so small.”

By the time the group made it back to the pavilion, Jenna Yamrick was perched on the steps sipping a cup of hot cocoa. When asked if she would do the Owl Prowl again, Yamrick was willing yet slightly hesitant. 

“It was good; I had fun,” Yamrick said. “I would maybe do it again, but not for as long because I get scared, so I came back early.” 

Overton Park Conservancy has yet to select a date for a second Owl Prowl. To learn more about Overton Park Conservancy, click here.