2013: Week 2 – Owls

       

       It was a good week for owls as we traveled north and east to see if we could add a few owl species to the year list.  Our first venture took us to the town of Shawangunk and the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge.  Long known as a productive site for finding wintering Short-eared owls, we hoped to find mid-afternoon birds in order to get some decent photos.  Sure enough, as if on cue, when we arrived around 3:00 PM, the owls began flying.  We first spotted two Rough-legged hawks perched in distant trees, but very soon thereafter, two short-ears came flying in and perched in a nearby tree.  Several harriers including one male joined in the afternoon hunt and we soon had birds flying “all over” the refuge. 

By the time we had to leave, we had at least 4 owls hunting over the grasslands….a beautiful sight.

       Later in the week, we scouted out Croton Point Park where in the past years we have found Short-ears, Long-ears, and Great horned owls.  None of those on this trip, but we did come across a fine looking Barred owl tucked away deep in the cover of a pine.  He was resting comfortably, nestled in amongst the cover of the pine boughs, but through a window in the branches we were able to observe him as he occasionally woke long enough to preen a bit and then close his eyes and rest once again.  A beautiful bird and another nice addition to the list of owls for 2013.

       Next week, we will visit friends in North Carolina and see what interesting new birds for 2013 we can conjure up there.  See you next weekend.