Owls are such mysterious creatures, most of them hunters of the night time. They’re the themes of fable and superstition. Their cryptic markings and skill to mix into their habitats make them exhausting to see. But, as soon as you discover one, they appear to be in all places. You must be affected person, quiet, non-threatening and prepared to take a look at timber, holes, and fields. Right now, I assumed I might share a few of my owling tales.
Within the winter of 2005, there was an irruption of Nice Gray Owls, looking for meals. They confirmed up in Southern Ontario and in some northern US states. I heard they have been being seen at a marsh east of Toronto, so my husband and I headed on the market. After we arrived, we have been advised that some had been seen that day, however not these days. One other birder recommended we try a distinct space of the marsh. We trudged by means of the deep snow, however had no luck. The opposite birder and my husband turned again, however I’m cussed relating to a lifer and a superb one at that. Instantly, I heard Black-capped Chickadees going nuts. I adopted their alarm calls to a clump of timber. I finished and peered round a trunk. Calmly peering again at me was a Nice Gray Owl! (See image at prime of weblog.) It had heard my strategy and was curious to know what was there. I backed up cautiously, turned and ran like a maniac to get the fellows to see this magnificent chook. The opposite birder had a scope and we watched the owl from afar. We didn’t need to stress the owl and make it waste any extra vitality.
Northern Hawk Owl
One other uncommon customer to Southern Ontario is the Northern Hawk Owl. I first noticed this diurnal owl within the winter of 2007. A pal heard the chook was outdoors Toronto, hanging round farm fields, close to a rail line. All of us piled into our little automobile and headed out. We discovered the chook, being admired by a flock of birders. We noticed it perched on the prime of an evergreen, chattering away. It will fly off to hunt after which return to its perch, completely unbothered by all of the spectators.
Snowy Owl (image taken at Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto)
A extra widespread customer to Toronto and Southern Ontario is the Snowy Owl. This owl finds spots that appear like the tundra, the place it nests in the summertime. They could be in farm fields, sitting on docks of marinas or on breakwaters on the lake (or perhaps a jumble of discarded building materials). You’ll want to scan these areas, on the lookout for what appears to be like like a grimy sack of flour. Many instances, I feel I’ve a Snowy, however it’s a plastic bag or overturned, white pail. You recognize you’ve got your owl when a pair of brilliant, yellow eyes glare again at you.
Burrowing Owls
Not all my owl adventures contain snow. In March 2009, in Arizona, I noticed my lifer Burrowing Owl. I’ve seen these cute little owls, peeking out of their burrows, in Texas and Florida, too. In Naples Florida, they’ve a burrow on the sting of a schoolyard. This previous winter, we have been close to that spot within the night, when a Burrowing Owl landed on a fence close to us. It appeared round and chattered at us.
Barred Owl
Barred Owl are present in Southern Ontario, however I’ve had extra interactions with them in SW Florida. In a Naples park, I’ve heard them making their “who cooks for you all” name. In that very same park, I noticed a pair perched collectively. Final 12 months, at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, there was a younger Barred Owl perched on an air plant, which confirmed how mild owls might be. Individuals would stroll by, have a look at it, do a double take, after which ask if it was actual. This owl was simply as fascinated with the folks, shifting its head throughout for higher appears to be like.
Japanese Screech-Owl fledgling
One owl that is quite common is the Japanese Screech-Owl. These small owls are simply missed as they disguise of their roost holes and mix in with the encircling timber’ surfaces. There’s a park in Toronto the place we frequently see these owls. Within the late winter / early spring, we discover the adults hiding in evergreens. Later, we are going to see them energetic at a nest gap. Then, in late spring, we’ll see their younger. One 12 months, there have been 5 owlets who had fledged from the nest gap. They appeared like lumps of dryer lint with eyes. It was thrilling to look at them shifting alongside the branches and making their begging requires meals.
Discovering an owl within the wild is a valuable present from nature. If we give them the care and respect they deserve, others will get to get pleasure from them for years to return.
Word: Image of Burrowing Owls by Leslie Kinrys. All different pictures are from Wikipedia Commons, a web-based supply of copyright-free pictures.
