Owls from the Past

Owl post from a few years ago (with some modifications):

When I first started birding we used to go out on winter outings and owls were always part of the trip.  One time we came across an injured Short-eared Owl on Pretty Road.  I think it was the first time I had ever seen one.  It was taken to a rehab somewhere.  This was back in the 1980's.

Brad Martin holding a Short-eared

Once in a while you luck on to Short-eared Owls, as was the case a couple of winters ago NE of Wallaceburg.  I was heading up to a spot to look for Long-eared Owls, but I caught sight of one on a fencepost beside the road at two in the afternoon!  Turns out there were around a dozen there and they stayed for several weeks.  That pasture disappeared that following spring!

The Long-eared usually roost in pine trees, but not always.  I found some NE of Wallaceburg one winter.

We have Eastern Screech-Owls here in Wallaceburg.  They have always been here and I remember them when I was about two or three years old.  No kidding!  They roosted on the fence-posts at dusk in the backyard.  I still hear some occasionally, especially in the summer.  Sometimes, the young ones will roost in the backyard cedars.  I haven't seen young ones in a  couple of years, but here is a photo of a family.

It was interesting to watch them at dusk as the parents fed them earthworms.

Once in a while it is nice to see a red morph Eastern Screech-owl.

There are other owls especially seen in the winter.  The only Boreal Owl I have seen was near Exeter one winter (on private property).

The Northern Saw-Whet Owl is a favourite of many.

Of course there all these Snowy Owls...

Our FOY CBC: Kettle Point

(scene near Rock Glen a few years ago)

Today, many of us "locals" participated in the Kettle Point CBC.  I arrived Friday evening at Hungry Hollow in very fine weather.  In fact, it was very clear and calm.  We took advantage and did some late evening owling in our area.
It was a good work-out as Eastern Screech-owls are not really plentiful there, but we came up with nine.  As well, we had two Great-Horned Owls.

Ha!

Also, we tried for Northern Saw-whet and Barred Owls.  A Saw-whet was across from Pete's place a couple of days ago, and the nearby Barred Owl was seen yesterday morning.  No luck with those though.
Turns out there were no more owls, including today.
This morning was crisp and somewhat clear, so it was rather pleasant.  Just out the door, Steve and I got the female White-winged Crossbill and a White-throated Sparrow at the feeder area. A good start.

(several of these today)

Sparrows are rather scarce this time of year in the Arkona area and it turns out the White-throat was our only one of that species.  Sparrows are quite scarce in general this winter.  The only other sparrow-type (besides a few American Tree Sparrows) was a Song near the Bingo gravel pit.  Juncos were here and there of course, and no Oregon this year.  Usually we manage to get one on this count.  It seems many birds left with the big wind storm at the end of October.

Our first stop was a pond area SW of Arkona.  Here we had four Common Mergs, the only duck of the day!  Many Canada Geese, but no Snow Goose seen the previous day.
We also had a couple of Common Redpolls fly over, and Steve had a definite Red Crossbill.  About the same time I had a finch type flyover, but could not get a handle on it.
Heading north, we caught sight of a Northern Shrike on a hydro wire--always nice to see on a count.  A short while later we came across a small flock of Common Redpolls.

Up by the Sylvan bridge, Pete and I got two Yellow-rumped Warblers at a usual spot.  Decent was a pair of Tufted Titmouse nearby.

At Rock Glen, we had a good number of "dickie" birds including two more titmice.
A blackbird of any type on this count is a big deal.  None today, but later in the afternoon I spotted a flock of European Starlings and said that there must be a Brown-headed Cowbird amongst them. Sure enough we found five cowbirds.
Weather deteriorated throughout the day, and by 3:30 it was raining.
Hawks were incredibly scarce, with only about 3 Red-tailed, and 1 Northern Harrier first spotted by Laurie Clancy who was with us today.

We ended up with 39 species in our area alone, lower than usual, but simply put, birds are scarce this year!
(No camera today as I often do not carry one on a count--probably will not tomorrow either as it will likely be raining and I have to carry a scope as well!).

(I wish!--near Pete's house a few years ago)

Lure of the Owl

The Great Gray Owl near Kingsville has certainly drawn a huge crowd.  How many have gone to see it?  Probably over 2000!  Hard to say, but big crowds seem to appear every day.
While listening to CKLW news at noon today, another segment about it was on the air.  The MNR and OPP were concerned as there have been complaints of people not being mindful of safety and also not giving the owl space.  You should stay up to 40m from it!
I thought that it was funny as this fearless owl practically land at your feet!  While most people would not deliberately approach the owl, this creature will approach humans.
It is true that some people are all over the road and are not mindful of traffic, so safety is a concern.  I have seen this before and some people just do not use common sense.  Human nature for some I guess.
Maybe it is time for this owl to move on.......and some people should move on once they get a good look.  Get your look and go.
I am afraid it would not be me reporting an owl like this on the listserv.  It creates too much of a circus--many rarities do anymore. (my opinion).

Owls are very intriguing to people.  There is just something about them.  Local owl prowls attract dozens of people of all types.  It is incredible really, as I heard one local prowl attracted over a 100 people!

I think owls were the first bird I ever remember as a youngster.  When I was very young, I recall my parents pointing out owls sitting on the fence posts in the backyard.  Obviously they were Screech Owls.  I was probably only four years old, but the sight is etched in my mind!
We have always had Screech Owls within Wallaceburg, and even now you may get a glimpse of one.  Just this evening, I heard one in the yard giving its tremolo sound!  Strangely, this is the first one I have heard in the neighbourhood since last winter.  They are getting scarcer as the larger and older trees are disappearing and more lights are up.  I think there are too many lights as practically every pole has a street light.  Also, some neighbours seem to be afraid of the dark as they have to have their outdoor lights on all night.  Seems to serve no purpose except contribute to light pollution and waste energy!

parent owl keeping watch

Years in the past, a family group would show up in the yard in April.  Been a while since I have seen that happen.  They are amusing to watch.  One time I watched the parents catch earthworms and feed them to the youngsters at dusk.

 The Youngsters

It is a good owl year for at least Snowy Owls as you know.  Actually it is huge invasion year as many areas have reported multiple individuals.  It is certainly the best winter I have had for them.
Addendum:  Spotted a Snowy Owl today January 11 just west of Wallaceburg on my way home from work.

Maybe this weekend I should go out and look for some owls.....