Last December, I got a really poor look a Short-Eared Owl in a field outside SJWA. I have been visiting that spot frequently, but hadn't seen the bird for our 2012 list.
SE Owls are nocturnal, but they can be seen in the daytime more than other owls (especially during sunrise or sunset). Last night I decided to set up shop where I had seen the owl in the past. I drove down there via Lake Perris where everybody but me seems to see Bald Eagles, and arrived at the field at 4:30pm. At around 5:00pm, I thought I saw an owl flying low in the distance, but it soon went out of my view. I thought I saw it, but couldn't get enough field notes to ID it!
At around 5:30pm it was starting to get pretty dark and I was thinking of packing up. Just then I saw Short-Eared Owl (211) flying in my direction! Although it was dark, I was able to get a decent look and ID the bird. It's a good bird to add to our list (Owl #8), and now I don't have to stress about it on my SWJA visits.
I was also able to get a lot of good/new UCR birds this week: Mountain Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker (good for Riverside), flyover Cormorants, Band-Tailed Pigeon, House Wren, Allen's Hummingbird, and a nesting Anna's Hummingbird. I also spent about 30 minutes trying to turn a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet into a Hutton's Vireo on campus this morning.
Best,
Kevin
Nice job Kevin.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bird. I want it. I need it.
I set up my spotting scope every afternoon now at the front door to the greenhouse. I have been doing a lot of work on the greenhouse lately so I just set it up and then work and check back every once in a while. It is the best view of the huge farm field that is all, tall grasses, bushes and saplings. two harriers love to cruise there and I see them almost every day around 4 -3:30. IT seems like perfect short eared habitat but no luck yet. There is a nesting pair of Kestrils that hang out on the powerlines too.