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Transcript: Undercover Night Lurker
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a grey jacket with purple sleeves, a pale pink hood, a brown shirt with pink roses, and pale blue jeans.
Taviss narrates, IN THE FORESTS OF NORTH AMERICA, A HIDDEN CREATURE AWAITS NIGHTFALL. FOR YEARS, IT'S BEEN LAYERED IN MYTH AND MYSTERY. UNTIL RECENTLY, SCIENTISTS DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTED.
Taviss asks, WANT TO FIND ONE? FOLLOW ME!
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with trees on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
[Inspiring music plays]
Aerial video footage in the Fall shows a forest with colourful red, orange, yellow and green leaves.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, OUR SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF THE ATTAWANDARON, HAUDENOSAUNEE, AND ANISHINAABE PEOPLES. TODAY, THIS SPECIAL AREA IS NOW PART OF THE LONG POINT WORLD BIOSPHERE PROTECTED REGION.
A sign reads, “Canadian Migration Monitoring Network Member Station.”
[Birds singing]
Taviss narrates, UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, A RUTHLESS CARNIVORE IS LURKING.
[Owls hooting]
A small Northern Saw-Whet Owl with large yellow eyes stands on a branch.
Taviss narrates, AWW, BUT IT'S SO CUTE!
[Tinkling bells]
Kyle Cameron lowers his binoculars and stares up toward the tree canopy. He wears a ball cap over his shoulder-length, curly brown hair, and he has a brown moustache and beard.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, THIS IS KYLE CAMERON. KYLE IS A BIOLOGIST WITH BIRDS CANADA AND MANAGER AT THE LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY. I'M HOPING HE CAN GIVE ME THE LOWDOWN NON THIS UNDERCOVER NIGHT LURKER.
Taviss and Kyle walk on a dirt path in the forest.
Taviss asks, SO, KYLE, WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS BIRD?
Kyle says, WELL, WE'RE HOPING TO FIND THE NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, THE SAW WET OWL? WHA?
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a brown owl jumps into a bathtub full of water.
The owl cheers, WOO-HOO!
[Slide whistle, water splashing, whooshing]
In the forest, Kyle says, NOW, IT GETS THE NAME BECAUSE PEOPLE THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE A SAW BEING SHARPENED ON A WHET STONE.
Someone sharpens a small saw against a stone.
[Scraping]
Kyle says, AND IT SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE THIS:
[He whistles the same note four times]
Taviss says, WOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK BACKING UP.
Kyle says, I THINK IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.
[Both laughing]
Taviss says, THAT WORKS TOO.
Kyle says, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES SAW-WHET OWLS SO MYSTERIOUS IS THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO FIND, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DAY.
Taviss says, OKAY, BUT I THOUGHT OWLS WERE LIKE, REALLY BIG.
Kyle says, WELL, NOT THESE OWLS. THESE ONES ARE TINY. THEY LIKE TO HIDE OUT IN THE FOREST BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO HIDE FROM BIGGER PREDATORS. AND, SINCE THEY'RE PREDATORS THEMSELVES, THEY WANT TO HIDE FROM THE SMALLER BIRDS, TOO. THEN AT NIGHTFALL, THEY COME OUT TO HUNT.
Taviss says, YEAH, BECAUSE OWLS ARE NOCTURNAL, RIGHT? THEY SLEEP DURING THE DAY, AND THEY'RE AWAKE AT NIGHT.
Kyle says, YOU GOT IT. AND RIGHT NOW, THERE COULD BE DOZENS HIDING OUT THERE.
Taviss says, WHOA.
[Whooshing, gentle music plays]
Taviss and Kyle walk to nets hanging between two metal poles.
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, TAVISS, SO HERE'S OUR MIST NETS. WE USE THESE NETS TO CAPTURE OWLS AND ONCE WE CAPTURE THEM, WE CAN LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEIR MIGRATION MOVEMENTS, AS WELL AS THEIR AGE, AND A BIT ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. AND WE CAN ONLY LEARN THAT STUFF IF WE CATCH THEM.
Taviss says, WAIT, SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN OWL UP CLOSE TONIGHT?
Kyle says, I HOPE SO. LET'S OPEN THE NETS AND KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED. UNTIL THEN, WE'VE JUST GOT TO PLAY THE WAITING GAME.
[Gentle music plays, birds chirping]
Taviss narrates, WHAT BETTER WAY TO WT THAN WITH A STORY?
[Owl hooting rhythmically, insects chitter, calm music plays]
At night, the full moon shines and a large fire flickers in a fire pit. Elder Renee Thomas Hill sits in a Muskoka chair. Her white hair is trimmed short, and she wears a black vest, blue sweater, white shirt, and eyeglasses.
Taviss narrates, ELDER RENEE THOMAS HILL IS OF THE MOHAWK NATION, TURTLE CLAN, FROM THE NEARBY SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER. AND THESE ARE HER GRANDKIDS. THEY'RE JOINING US FOR STORY TIME.
A boy wears a black touque and coat. He sits in a Muskoka chair and smiles. An older boy also wears a black touque and a coat.
[Drum beating, fire crackling, gentle music plays]
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, LONG, LONG TIME AGO, WHEN THE EARTH WAS BEING CREATED, ALL THE ANIMALS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE CREATOR, THE ONE WHO MAKES ALL. AND ALL THE ANIMALS, THEY STOOD IN LINE AND THEY WAITED. THEY WERE THINKING, "OH, WHAT DO I WANT TO BE LIKE?"
Elder Renee Thomas Hill crosses her arms.
She says, SO, THE OWL KIND OF PUT HIS ARMS LIKE THIS. THEN HE THOUGHT,
"HMM...I WANT TO BE RED LIKE THE CARDINAL."
In daylight, a cardinal perches on a tree branch.
[Chirping]
By the fire, Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, AND SO THE CREATOR SAYS, "WELL, I HAVE ONLY MUD HERE."
OH, THE CREATOR, HE SAYS, "I'M GOING TO DO THIS SO THAT NOBODY CAN SEE YOU IN THE DARK TIME."
AND THEY RUBBED THE MUD ALL OVER HIM. AND PRETTY SOON HE HAD A DARK COAT. THE CREATOR NOW SEES THAT THE OWL IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
THE OWL, HE SITS IN A TREE. HE SAYS, "NOW, I'D LIKE TO HELP YOU IN RETURN. SO ALL THE PEOPLE WILL KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHEN THERE'S DANGER
WHEN THERE'S SOMETHING OUT THERE I WILL LET THEM KNOW." WHEN HE HEARD THE OWL GOING, "HOO...”
[Owl hooting twice]
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, “HOO, HOO" IT'S TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW
THAT ALL AROUND US, THERE'S SOMEBODY ALWAYS GOING TO WATCH US. THAT WE'RE NEVER ALONE.
MY GRANDMA HAD TOLD ME THAT STORY. AND SHE SAID, "NOW, YOU REMEMBER, THE OWL IS A GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT. BECAUSE WHEN HE SAYS, 'WHO.' SHE MEANT, WHO'S NOT IN BED? WHO'S NOT HOME?
[Owl hooting]
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, SO, WHEN THE OWL GOES LIKE THIS, "WHO," I KNOW I HAVE TO GET HOME. REMEMBER THAT. IF YOU EVER HEAR THE OWL, AND HE SAYS, "WHO," HE WANTS YOU HOME. HE WANTS YOU TO BE SAFE.
Taviss says, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL OWL STORY.
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
The young boy says, THANK YOU.
The older boy says, NIÁ:WEN, GRANDMA RENEE.
Elder Renee Thomas Hill tells Taviss, AND NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO BE A STORYTELLER.
[Fires crackles, owl hooting nearby]
Black and white film footage shows Kyle walking in the forest at night.
Taviss narrates, BACK TO THE BIRD OBSERVATORY. I WONDER IF THE MIST NETS CAUGHT AN OWL.
At the bird observatory, Taviss sits by a table. Kyle enters, holding a floral-print bag.
[Upbeat music plays]
Kyle says, OKAY, WE GOT LUCKY. WE GOT AN OWL.
Taviss says excitedly, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT.
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, SHOULD WE SEE WHAT KIND OF OWL WE GOT? THEY'RE IN THESE BAGS TO KEEP THEM NICE AND SAFE WHILE WE TRANSPORT THEM FROM THE NETS. THE FIRST STEP IS WE'RE GONNA OPEN UP THIS BAG, I'M GONNA REACH IN...
[Clicking]
Kyle says, AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S THAT CLUCKING NOISE?
Kyle replies, WELL, THIS BIRD IS SNAPPING ITS BEAK IN ORDER TO INTIMIDATE ME.
[Whooshing, clicking]
In an animation, two owls stand side by side on grass.
The first owl asks, IS IT WORKING? AM I SCARY? AM I INTIMIDATING?
[Scary music plays, slide whistle]
The second owl rolls their eyes.
The second owl says, NAH, NOT REALLY.
[Whooshing]
In the bird observatory, Taviss says, OHHH. HEY, HELLO MY FRIEND. IT'S SO CUTE.
Kyle takes a Northern Saw-Whet Owl out of the bag. The owl fits in his hand.
[Upbeat music plays]
Kyle says, HERE IT IS.
Taviss says, AW.
Kyle says, SO, THIS IS A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL. AND LOOK, IT ALREADY HAS A BAND ON IT.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S A BAND AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The owl has a small metal band stamped with numbers around one of their legs.
Kyle explains, WELL, A BAND IS SOMETHING THAT WE PUT ON BIRDS' LEGS AND IT HAS A UNIQUE NUMBER ON IT THAT NO OTHER BIRD IN THE WORLD WILL HAVE. SO, WHEN THIS BIRD GETS CAPTURED, WE CAN KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS BANDED.
FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO RECORD SOME DATA FROM IT. SO, I'M GOING TO NEED SOME HELP FROM A COLLEAGUE HERE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NABHI COME IN AND HELP OUT.
[Insects chirp, upbeat music plays]
Nahbi has short black hair, a black beard and a moustache. He wears a white vest over an olive-green coat. Kyle holds the bird and extends one of the owl’s wings. Nahbi stands beside him by a computer keyboard.
Kyle says, WE WANT TO DETERMINE HOW OLD THIS BIRD IS SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT DIFFERENCES IN AGE AMONG THE FEATHERS AS THEY REPLACE THEM.
NOW, IF WE LOOK AT THIS BIRD, ALL OF THESE FEATHERS
ARE THE SAME AGE. THEY DON'T LOOK ANY DIFFERENT. THEY'RE ALL THE SAME BROWN TINGE AND COLOUR TO THEM. SO THIS BIRD IS A HATCH YEAR BIRD, WHICH MEANS IT WAS BORN THIS YEAR.
SO, NOW, I'LL TAKE A WING MEASUREMENT. OKAY, SO THIS IS 133 MILLIMETRES LONG.
Kyle puts down a ruler.
[Clattering]
Taviss asks, SO, IS THAT SMALL?
Kyle says, IT'S ABOUT AVERAGE.
Nahbi enters information into a computer.
[Typing]
Kyle says, AND LASTLY, ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TAKE THE WEIGHT. SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I PUT THIS BIRD RIGHT ON THE SCALE?
Taviss says, IT WOULD FLY AWAY.
[Kyle laughing]
Kyle says, SO, WE USE THESE TUBES HERE. THIS BIRD'S GONNA GO UPSIDE DOWN INTO THE TUBE, JUST LIKE THAT.
Kyle puts the owl into the tube and puts the tube on the scale.
[Owl clicking, gentle music plays]
Kyle says, SO 78.9 GRAMS.
[Dinging]
Taviss tilts her head to the side and looks at the owl.
Taviss narrates, EXCUSE ME? THAT OWL WEIGHS LESS THAN A BAR OF SOAP!
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a smiling green soap bar bounces to a seesaw. A Northern Saw-Whet owl sits on one of the seats, and the soap jumps onto the other.
[Boinging]
The owl says, OH, HI! WOO!
The seesaw goes up, and the owl is tossed up into the air.
[Spring boinging, bubbling]
The soap says, OOPS.
[Whooshing]
In the bird observatory, Taviss and Kyle pet the owl.
Taviss says, IT'S SO CUTE!
[Drumsticks tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
At twilight, the dark trees cast shadows on dark blue water.
Taviss narrates, LONG POINT IS HOME TO ONE OF THE DARKEST SKIES IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO. SO IT'S THE PERFECT SPOT TO LOOK AT THE STARS. THIS STAR OBSERVATORY AT LONG POINT ECO ADVENTURES HAS A GIGANTIC TELESCOPE.
Taviss walks up a red-lit staircase to a giant telescope. She leans over and peers into the eyepiece. Beside her, Tab Goodale, an observatory tour guide, holds the telescope's top.
Tab says, OKAY, SO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL YOU CAN SEE. THAT IS JUPITER.
Taviss looks at Jupiter and four moons through the telescope.
Taviss says, WOW.
Tab says, THE RED STRIPES ARE ACTUALLY ITS CLOUD BANDS. AND THOSE FOUR LITTLE STARS YOU SEE AROUND IT. THOSE AREN'T STARS AT ALL. THEY'RE ACTUALLY FOUR OF ITS MOONS. OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SATURN.
Tab types into a device connected to the telescope. Saturn appears through the telescope.
[Beeping, Taviss gasping]
Taviss says, LOOK AT ITS RING!
Tab says, YEAH, SO SATURN'S ACTUALLY THE FARTHEST PLANET YOU CAN SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE.
Taviss says, THIS IS AMAZING!
[Gentle music plays, insects chirping]
Back at the bird observatory, Kyle says, LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS BIRD BECAUSE THERE'S SOME PRETTY COOL ADAPTATIONS THAT IT HAS. NOW, DO YOU NOTICE THE SHAPE OF THIS FACE HERE?
Taviss says, YEP.
[Scraping]
Kyle says, LOOKS LIKE A PLATE OR A BOWL. YEAH, SO THAT HELPS IT FUNNEL ALL OF THE NOISE RIGHT INTO ITS EARS.
Taviss asks, WAIT, WHERE ARE ITS EARS?
Kyle replies, WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. ITS EARS ARE RIGHT BEHIND, RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THIS, THIS FACIAL DISC IS WHAT WE CALL IT. AND THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL COVERED IN FEATHERS. BUT...
A REALLY UNIQUE THING ABOUT OWLS IS THAT THEIR EARS, ONE EAR IS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER EAR. OUR EARS ARE SYMMETRICAL, BUT THESE GUYS HAVE ONE EAR WAY HIGHER THAN THE OTHER ONE.
Taviss asks, IS THAT NORMAL?
Kyle says, YES, THAT'S NORMAL. IT'S TO HELP THEM PINPOINT THEIR PREY.
[Slide whistle]
Taviss narrates, HMM, I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF MY EARS WERE LIKE THAT.
Animated ears appear on Taviss’s head, with her right ear higher than her left ear.
[Boing]
Taviss narrates, UH, NOT SO CUTE.
Taviss asks, IF IT CAN HEAR SO WELL, THEN WHY ARE ITS EYES SO BIG?
[Whooshing]
An animation shows a Northern Saw-Whet owl wearing a red cloak and hood.
The owl asks, MY, WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE!
[Slide whistle, creaking]
A second owl turns their head and looks at the first owl through eyeglasses.
The second owl says, ALL THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITH, MY DEAR.
[Whooshing, insects chirping]
In the bird observatory, Kyle says, WELL, ITS EYES ARE SO BIG TO HELP IT SEE IN THE DARK. THEIR EYES ARE ACTUALLY SO BIG THAT THEY CAN'T MOVE AROUND IN ITS SOCKETS LIKE YOU AND I. AND THAT'S WHY THEIR NECKS CAN MOVE SO MUCH.
Kyle turns the owl, and the owl turns their head and watches Taviss.
[Taviss gasping]
Kyle says, SEE? SO...
Taviss says, ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND.
[Gentle music plays]
Kyle says, ALMOST.
NOW THESE GUYS RELY ON BEING ABSOLUTELY SILENT IN FLIGHT. THEY HAVE A LOT OF REALLY NEAT ADAPTATIONS FOR THAT. ONE OF THOSE IS THIS REALLY NEAT COMB STRUCTURE ON THE WING. SEE HOW THE FRONT OF THIS WING IS KIND OF FUZZY?
Taviss says, YEP.
Kyle says, THAT BREAKS UP THE NOISE OF THE WIND AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE AIR, SO YOU CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING.
Taviss says, SO CUTE. CAN I HOLD IT?
Kyle says, WELL, WE'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF TRAINING, AND THEN WE'LL LET YOU RELEASE IT.
[Music fades out, owl hooting]
In the black sky, wispy clouds pass in front of the full moon. Taviss and Kyle stand in front of the bird observatory. Kyle holds the owl.
Kyle says, THIS GUY'S DONE HIS WORK IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE, AND WE'VE GOT ALL THE DATA THAT WE NEED FROM HIM. WE'RE GONNA LET HIM GO INTO THE NIGHT TO CONTINUE HIS MIGRATION. SO, I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU RELEASE HIM. OKAY?
Taviss says, OKAY.
Kyle says, SO, PUT OUT YOUR HAND THERE.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, I GET TO RELEASE AN OWL! I LOVE MY LIFE.
Kyle says, HE'LL STAND RIGHT ON THERE. THERE YOU GO.
Kyle carefully puts the owl on Taviss’s flat palm. The owl takes off.
[Wings flapping, owl hooting]
Taviss says, BYE!
[Whooshing]
Flashbacks show Taviss and Kyle in the forest during the day and examining the Northern Saw-Whet owl in the observatory at night.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, THOUGH IT HIDES IN THE FOREST BY DAY, THE SAW-WHET OWL IS A SUPER HUNTER BY NIGHT. IT HAS SO MANY WAYS TO KEEP EXTRA QUIET, SO IT REMAINS MYSTERIOUS TO BOTH ITS PREY AND PEOPLE.
AS SCIENTISTS STUDY THE SAW-WHET OWL, THE MYSTERY OF THIS LITTLE CREATURE WILL FINALLY BE UNRAVELLED.
At night, Taviss runs forward and then stops beside a tree.
Taviss whispers, THE SECRET IS OUT! THE SAW-WHET OWL IS HIDING IN A FOREST NEAR YOU.
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Skye R. Regan. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Kyle Cameron and Renee Thomas-Hill. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a grey jacket with purple sleeves, a pale pink hood, a brown shirt with pink roses, and pale blue jeans.
Taviss narrates, IN THE FORESTS OF NORTH AMERICA, A HIDDEN CREATURE AWAITS NIGHTFALL. FOR YEARS, IT'S BEEN LAYERED IN MYTH AND MYSTERY. UNTIL RECENTLY, SCIENTISTS DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTED.
Taviss asks, WANT TO FIND ONE? FOLLOW ME!
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with trees on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
[Inspiring music plays]
Aerial video footage in the Fall shows a forest with colourful red, orange, yellow and green leaves.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, OUR SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF THE ATTAWANDARON, HAUDENOSAUNEE, AND ANISHINAABE PEOPLES. TODAY, THIS SPECIAL AREA IS NOW PART OF THE LONG POINT WORLD BIOSPHERE PROTECTED REGION.
A sign reads, “Canadian Migration Monitoring Network Member Station.”
[Birds singing]
Taviss narrates, UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, A RUTHLESS CARNIVORE IS LURKING.
[Owls hooting]
A small Northern Saw-Whet Owl with large yellow eyes stands on a branch.
Taviss narrates, AWW, BUT IT'S SO CUTE!
[Tinkling bells]
Kyle Cameron lowers his binoculars and stares up toward the tree canopy. He wears a ball cap over his shoulder-length, curly brown hair, and he has a brown moustache and beard.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, THIS IS KYLE CAMERON. KYLE IS A BIOLOGIST WITH BIRDS CANADA AND MANAGER AT THE LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY. I'M HOPING HE CAN GIVE ME THE LOWDOWN NON THIS UNDERCOVER NIGHT LURKER.
Taviss and Kyle walk on a dirt path in the forest.
Taviss asks, SO, KYLE, WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS BIRD?
Kyle says, WELL, WE'RE HOPING TO FIND THE NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, THE SAW WET OWL? WHA?
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a brown owl jumps into a bathtub full of water.
The owl cheers, WOO-HOO!
[Slide whistle, water splashing, whooshing]
In the forest, Kyle says, NOW, IT GETS THE NAME BECAUSE PEOPLE THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE A SAW BEING SHARPENED ON A WHET STONE.
Someone sharpens a small saw against a stone.
[Scraping]
Kyle says, AND IT SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE THIS:
[He whistles the same note four times]
Taviss says, WOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK BACKING UP.
Kyle says, I THINK IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.
[Both laughing]
Taviss says, THAT WORKS TOO.
Kyle says, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES SAW-WHET OWLS SO MYSTERIOUS IS THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO FIND, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DAY.
Taviss says, OKAY, BUT I THOUGHT OWLS WERE LIKE, REALLY BIG.
Kyle says, WELL, NOT THESE OWLS. THESE ONES ARE TINY. THEY LIKE TO HIDE OUT IN THE FOREST BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO HIDE FROM BIGGER PREDATORS. AND, SINCE THEY'RE PREDATORS THEMSELVES, THEY WANT TO HIDE FROM THE SMALLER BIRDS, TOO. THEN AT NIGHTFALL, THEY COME OUT TO HUNT.
Taviss says, YEAH, BECAUSE OWLS ARE NOCTURNAL, RIGHT? THEY SLEEP DURING THE DAY, AND THEY'RE AWAKE AT NIGHT.
Kyle says, YOU GOT IT. AND RIGHT NOW, THERE COULD BE DOZENS HIDING OUT THERE.
Taviss says, WHOA.
[Whooshing, gentle music plays]
Taviss and Kyle walk to nets hanging between two metal poles.
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, TAVISS, SO HERE'S OUR MIST NETS. WE USE THESE NETS TO CAPTURE OWLS AND ONCE WE CAPTURE THEM, WE CAN LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEIR MIGRATION MOVEMENTS, AS WELL AS THEIR AGE, AND A BIT ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. AND WE CAN ONLY LEARN THAT STUFF IF WE CATCH THEM.
Taviss says, WAIT, SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN OWL UP CLOSE TONIGHT?
Kyle says, I HOPE SO. LET'S OPEN THE NETS AND KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED. UNTIL THEN, WE'VE JUST GOT TO PLAY THE WAITING GAME.
[Gentle music plays, birds chirping]
Taviss narrates, WHAT BETTER WAY TO WT THAN WITH A STORY?
[Owl hooting rhythmically, insects chitter, calm music plays]
At night, the full moon shines and a large fire flickers in a fire pit. Elder Renee Thomas Hill sits in a Muskoka chair. Her white hair is trimmed short, and she wears a black vest, blue sweater, white shirt, and eyeglasses.
Taviss narrates, ELDER RENEE THOMAS HILL IS OF THE MOHAWK NATION, TURTLE CLAN, FROM THE NEARBY SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER. AND THESE ARE HER GRANDKIDS. THEY'RE JOINING US FOR STORY TIME.
A boy wears a black touque and coat. He sits in a Muskoka chair and smiles. An older boy also wears a black touque and a coat.
[Drum beating, fire crackling, gentle music plays]
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, LONG, LONG TIME AGO, WHEN THE EARTH WAS BEING CREATED, ALL THE ANIMALS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE CREATOR, THE ONE WHO MAKES ALL. AND ALL THE ANIMALS, THEY STOOD IN LINE AND THEY WAITED. THEY WERE THINKING, "OH, WHAT DO I WANT TO BE LIKE?"
Elder Renee Thomas Hill crosses her arms.
She says, SO, THE OWL KIND OF PUT HIS ARMS LIKE THIS. THEN HE THOUGHT,
"HMM...I WANT TO BE RED LIKE THE CARDINAL."
In daylight, a cardinal perches on a tree branch.
[Chirping]
By the fire, Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, AND SO THE CREATOR SAYS, "WELL, I HAVE ONLY MUD HERE."
OH, THE CREATOR, HE SAYS, "I'M GOING TO DO THIS SO THAT NOBODY CAN SEE YOU IN THE DARK TIME."
AND THEY RUBBED THE MUD ALL OVER HIM. AND PRETTY SOON HE HAD A DARK COAT. THE CREATOR NOW SEES THAT THE OWL IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
THE OWL, HE SITS IN A TREE. HE SAYS, "NOW, I'D LIKE TO HELP YOU IN RETURN. SO ALL THE PEOPLE WILL KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHEN THERE'S DANGER
WHEN THERE'S SOMETHING OUT THERE I WILL LET THEM KNOW." WHEN HE HEARD THE OWL GOING, "HOO...”
[Owl hooting twice]
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, “HOO, HOO" IT'S TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW
THAT ALL AROUND US, THERE'S SOMEBODY ALWAYS GOING TO WATCH US. THAT WE'RE NEVER ALONE.
MY GRANDMA HAD TOLD ME THAT STORY. AND SHE SAID, "NOW, YOU REMEMBER, THE OWL IS A GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT. BECAUSE WHEN HE SAYS, 'WHO.' SHE MEANT, WHO'S NOT IN BED? WHO'S NOT HOME?
[Owl hooting]
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, SO, WHEN THE OWL GOES LIKE THIS, "WHO," I KNOW I HAVE TO GET HOME. REMEMBER THAT. IF YOU EVER HEAR THE OWL, AND HE SAYS, "WHO," HE WANTS YOU HOME. HE WANTS YOU TO BE SAFE.
Taviss says, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL OWL STORY.
Elder Renee Thomas Hill says, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
The young boy says, THANK YOU.
The older boy says, NIÁ:WEN, GRANDMA RENEE.
Elder Renee Thomas Hill tells Taviss, AND NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO BE A STORYTELLER.
[Fires crackles, owl hooting nearby]
Black and white film footage shows Kyle walking in the forest at night.
Taviss narrates, BACK TO THE BIRD OBSERVATORY. I WONDER IF THE MIST NETS CAUGHT AN OWL.
At the bird observatory, Taviss sits by a table. Kyle enters, holding a floral-print bag.
[Upbeat music plays]
Kyle says, OKAY, WE GOT LUCKY. WE GOT AN OWL.
Taviss says excitedly, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT.
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, SHOULD WE SEE WHAT KIND OF OWL WE GOT? THEY'RE IN THESE BAGS TO KEEP THEM NICE AND SAFE WHILE WE TRANSPORT THEM FROM THE NETS. THE FIRST STEP IS WE'RE GONNA OPEN UP THIS BAG, I'M GONNA REACH IN...
[Clicking]
Kyle says, AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S THAT CLUCKING NOISE?
Kyle replies, WELL, THIS BIRD IS SNAPPING ITS BEAK IN ORDER TO INTIMIDATE ME.
[Whooshing, clicking]
In an animation, two owls stand side by side on grass.
The first owl asks, IS IT WORKING? AM I SCARY? AM I INTIMIDATING?
[Scary music plays, slide whistle]
The second owl rolls their eyes.
The second owl says, NAH, NOT REALLY.
[Whooshing]
In the bird observatory, Taviss says, OHHH. HEY, HELLO MY FRIEND. IT'S SO CUTE.
Kyle takes a Northern Saw-Whet Owl out of the bag. The owl fits in his hand.
[Upbeat music plays]
Kyle says, HERE IT IS.
Taviss says, AW.
Kyle says, SO, THIS IS A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL. AND LOOK, IT ALREADY HAS A BAND ON IT.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S A BAND AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The owl has a small metal band stamped with numbers around one of their legs.
Kyle explains, WELL, A BAND IS SOMETHING THAT WE PUT ON BIRDS' LEGS AND IT HAS A UNIQUE NUMBER ON IT THAT NO OTHER BIRD IN THE WORLD WILL HAVE. SO, WHEN THIS BIRD GETS CAPTURED, WE CAN KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS BANDED.
FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO RECORD SOME DATA FROM IT. SO, I'M GOING TO NEED SOME HELP FROM A COLLEAGUE HERE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NABHI COME IN AND HELP OUT.
[Insects chirp, upbeat music plays]
Nahbi has short black hair, a black beard and a moustache. He wears a white vest over an olive-green coat. Kyle holds the bird and extends one of the owl’s wings. Nahbi stands beside him by a computer keyboard.
Kyle says, WE WANT TO DETERMINE HOW OLD THIS BIRD IS SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT DIFFERENCES IN AGE AMONG THE FEATHERS AS THEY REPLACE THEM.
NOW, IF WE LOOK AT THIS BIRD, ALL OF THESE FEATHERS
ARE THE SAME AGE. THEY DON'T LOOK ANY DIFFERENT. THEY'RE ALL THE SAME BROWN TINGE AND COLOUR TO THEM. SO THIS BIRD IS A HATCH YEAR BIRD, WHICH MEANS IT WAS BORN THIS YEAR.
SO, NOW, I'LL TAKE A WING MEASUREMENT. OKAY, SO THIS IS 133 MILLIMETRES LONG.
Kyle puts down a ruler.
[Clattering]
Taviss asks, SO, IS THAT SMALL?
Kyle says, IT'S ABOUT AVERAGE.
Nahbi enters information into a computer.
[Typing]
Kyle says, AND LASTLY, ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TAKE THE WEIGHT. SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I PUT THIS BIRD RIGHT ON THE SCALE?
Taviss says, IT WOULD FLY AWAY.
[Kyle laughing]
Kyle says, SO, WE USE THESE TUBES HERE. THIS BIRD'S GONNA GO UPSIDE DOWN INTO THE TUBE, JUST LIKE THAT.
Kyle puts the owl into the tube and puts the tube on the scale.
[Owl clicking, gentle music plays]
Kyle says, SO 78.9 GRAMS.
[Dinging]
Taviss tilts her head to the side and looks at the owl.
Taviss narrates, EXCUSE ME? THAT OWL WEIGHS LESS THAN A BAR OF SOAP!
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a smiling green soap bar bounces to a seesaw. A Northern Saw-Whet owl sits on one of the seats, and the soap jumps onto the other.
[Boinging]
The owl says, OH, HI! WOO!
The seesaw goes up, and the owl is tossed up into the air.
[Spring boinging, bubbling]
The soap says, OOPS.
[Whooshing]
In the bird observatory, Taviss and Kyle pet the owl.
Taviss says, IT'S SO CUTE!
[Drumsticks tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
At twilight, the dark trees cast shadows on dark blue water.
Taviss narrates, LONG POINT IS HOME TO ONE OF THE DARKEST SKIES IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO. SO IT'S THE PERFECT SPOT TO LOOK AT THE STARS. THIS STAR OBSERVATORY AT LONG POINT ECO ADVENTURES HAS A GIGANTIC TELESCOPE.
Taviss walks up a red-lit staircase to a giant telescope. She leans over and peers into the eyepiece. Beside her, Tab Goodale, an observatory tour guide, holds the telescope's top.
Tab says, OKAY, SO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL YOU CAN SEE. THAT IS JUPITER.
Taviss looks at Jupiter and four moons through the telescope.
Taviss says, WOW.
Tab says, THE RED STRIPES ARE ACTUALLY ITS CLOUD BANDS. AND THOSE FOUR LITTLE STARS YOU SEE AROUND IT. THOSE AREN'T STARS AT ALL. THEY'RE ACTUALLY FOUR OF ITS MOONS. OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SATURN.
Tab types into a device connected to the telescope. Saturn appears through the telescope.
[Beeping, Taviss gasping]
Taviss says, LOOK AT ITS RING!
Tab says, YEAH, SO SATURN'S ACTUALLY THE FARTHEST PLANET YOU CAN SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE.
Taviss says, THIS IS AMAZING!
[Gentle music plays, insects chirping]
Back at the bird observatory, Kyle says, LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS BIRD BECAUSE THERE'S SOME PRETTY COOL ADAPTATIONS THAT IT HAS. NOW, DO YOU NOTICE THE SHAPE OF THIS FACE HERE?
Taviss says, YEP.
[Scraping]
Kyle says, LOOKS LIKE A PLATE OR A BOWL. YEAH, SO THAT HELPS IT FUNNEL ALL OF THE NOISE RIGHT INTO ITS EARS.
Taviss asks, WAIT, WHERE ARE ITS EARS?
Kyle replies, WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. ITS EARS ARE RIGHT BEHIND, RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THIS, THIS FACIAL DISC IS WHAT WE CALL IT. AND THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL COVERED IN FEATHERS. BUT...
A REALLY UNIQUE THING ABOUT OWLS IS THAT THEIR EARS, ONE EAR IS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER EAR. OUR EARS ARE SYMMETRICAL, BUT THESE GUYS HAVE ONE EAR WAY HIGHER THAN THE OTHER ONE.
Taviss asks, IS THAT NORMAL?
Kyle says, YES, THAT'S NORMAL. IT'S TO HELP THEM PINPOINT THEIR PREY.
[Slide whistle]
Taviss narrates, HMM, I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF MY EARS WERE LIKE THAT.
Animated ears appear on Taviss’s head, with her right ear higher than her left ear.
[Boing]
Taviss narrates, UH, NOT SO CUTE.
Taviss asks, IF IT CAN HEAR SO WELL, THEN WHY ARE ITS EYES SO BIG?
[Whooshing]
An animation shows a Northern Saw-Whet owl wearing a red cloak and hood.
The owl asks, MY, WHAT BIG EYES YOU HAVE!
[Slide whistle, creaking]
A second owl turns their head and looks at the first owl through eyeglasses.
The second owl says, ALL THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITH, MY DEAR.
[Whooshing, insects chirping]
In the bird observatory, Kyle says, WELL, ITS EYES ARE SO BIG TO HELP IT SEE IN THE DARK. THEIR EYES ARE ACTUALLY SO BIG THAT THEY CAN'T MOVE AROUND IN ITS SOCKETS LIKE YOU AND I. AND THAT'S WHY THEIR NECKS CAN MOVE SO MUCH.
Kyle turns the owl, and the owl turns their head and watches Taviss.
[Taviss gasping]
Kyle says, SEE? SO...
Taviss says, ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND.
[Gentle music plays]
Kyle says, ALMOST.
NOW THESE GUYS RELY ON BEING ABSOLUTELY SILENT IN FLIGHT. THEY HAVE A LOT OF REALLY NEAT ADAPTATIONS FOR THAT. ONE OF THOSE IS THIS REALLY NEAT COMB STRUCTURE ON THE WING. SEE HOW THE FRONT OF THIS WING IS KIND OF FUZZY?
Taviss says, YEP.
Kyle says, THAT BREAKS UP THE NOISE OF THE WIND AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE AIR, SO YOU CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING.
Taviss says, SO CUTE. CAN I HOLD IT?
Kyle says, WELL, WE'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF TRAINING, AND THEN WE'LL LET YOU RELEASE IT.
[Music fades out, owl hooting]
In the black sky, wispy clouds pass in front of the full moon. Taviss and Kyle stand in front of the bird observatory. Kyle holds the owl.
Kyle says, THIS GUY'S DONE HIS WORK IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE, AND WE'VE GOT ALL THE DATA THAT WE NEED FROM HIM. WE'RE GONNA LET HIM GO INTO THE NIGHT TO CONTINUE HIS MIGRATION. SO, I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU RELEASE HIM. OKAY?
Taviss says, OKAY.
Kyle says, SO, PUT OUT YOUR HAND THERE.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, I GET TO RELEASE AN OWL! I LOVE MY LIFE.
Kyle says, HE'LL STAND RIGHT ON THERE. THERE YOU GO.
Kyle carefully puts the owl on Taviss’s flat palm. The owl takes off.
[Wings flapping, owl hooting]
Taviss says, BYE!
[Whooshing]
Flashbacks show Taviss and Kyle in the forest during the day and examining the Northern Saw-Whet owl in the observatory at night.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, THOUGH IT HIDES IN THE FOREST BY DAY, THE SAW-WHET OWL IS A SUPER HUNTER BY NIGHT. IT HAS SO MANY WAYS TO KEEP EXTRA QUIET, SO IT REMAINS MYSTERIOUS TO BOTH ITS PREY AND PEOPLE.
AS SCIENTISTS STUDY THE SAW-WHET OWL, THE MYSTERY OF THIS LITTLE CREATURE WILL FINALLY BE UNRAVELLED.
At night, Taviss runs forward and then stops beside a tree.
Taviss whispers, THE SECRET IS OUT! THE SAW-WHET OWL IS HIDING IN A FOREST NEAR YOU.
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Skye R. Regan. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Kyle Cameron and Renee Thomas-Hill. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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