Sunday, May 1, 2011

Recent Owl Sightings

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I'm back from a wonderful West Texas birding trip with my son Andy.  While I was away, people sent us many photos that time won't allow me to post.  Here are three:
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1.  Great Horned Owl and chick on nest, Easter Sunday, by Dan Lockard, location not being posted,
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2.  Short-eared Owl flying over Wastewater properties last week by Dan Lockard,
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3.  Short-eared Owl on post on Wastewater properties (plus additional report of sightings April 28 below the photos) by Ken Sapkowski.
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- Ric





We arrived late hoping to see the Short-eared Owl in the ditch on the corner of Apple and Swanson.we saw Belted Kingfishers and Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Heard many meadowlarks heading south on Swanson.  As soon as we turned west on Laketon, Glenda spotted a short-eared on a poll in the r.c. field.  (About 60 yds north and 60 yds, west of the intersection.  I'm attaching a photo. 

We later went further south on Swanson to the clay ponds. Across the water to the west in the trees were two large birds.  A Great Egret that looked like a white trash bag stuck in the tree and another darker bird hunched with its back to us. We think it was most likely a Great Blue Heron.  

On the way home while traveling south on Moorland we encountered another Short-eared Owl in a field about a half mile north of Heights-Ravenna Rd. It was much closer, but unfortunately it was getting pretty dark by then (8:55 p.m.).  They should be heading north soon, so anyone who still hasn't seen them should check out Swanson & Laketon soon.

Ken Sapkowski
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