[SBB] SEOW continues

["Chuq Von Rospach" <[[email protected]]>]

I decided today to see if I could get over to Byxbee park and see the
short-eared owl. I arrived about 4:10 to a full (no, overflowing) lot,
so I parked over at the gate to baylands and walked over and up the
hill.

I joined the -- flock of birders? gaggle of birders? mad of birders?
-- group at the top of the hill; at it's largest, it was 13 of us,
plus a 14th further down the hill playing with a group of canada
geese. The watch began on the dump, as well as sweeps of the wetlands
on the opposite side.

The owl made its appearance, identified roughly 4:45, far out on the
wetlands flying back and forth along a channel that was about 75% of
the way out to Mayfield Slough; it was originally thoguht to be a
harrier, but the white patch was missing and the scope owners pulled
out the heavy artillery and were able to get good looks at it. We got
at least 15 minutes of good looking at it.

If you're going to try to come see the bird, try coming early to
minimize parking hassles or give you time to walk over from Baylands.
Where it was tonight, it was a real challenge to get good looks with
binoculars; the best I could do was fairly clear wing markings and
being able to recognize the roundness and flatness of the face
(compared to a hawk), but no facial data. (make no mistake, it was a
gorgeous sight!) -- if you have a scope, bring it.

For those interesting in photographing it, be aware that my 400mm lens
was able to show it as a tiny smudge, nothing remotely usable at that
distance. But is sure was fun trying! (I need more power!)

We did some looking for the rumored second bird. A bird I tracked for
a while much closer my photos show to be a Harrier. Other birds seen
were a small flock of meadowlarks (I coulnted about 12), and a
white-tailed kite, plus the normal ducks and etc in the channels. A
small group of white pelicans were visible, also, and useful as a
pointing tool for locating the Owl.

As it got close to 5 and it got dark, the reality that it was chilly
and windy won out, and we started declaring victory and hauling off
for the nearest car heater. Everyone there, I believe, got good looks
at the bird, and it was clearly active shortly after 4:30, but you
can't assume it'll be on the dump side of things -- keep an eye out on
the slough and wetlands as well.

and to everyone up there -- thanks! I sure wouldn't have seen it
without help, much less gotten a definite ID.

Other birds: Laurie was at baylands mid-afternoon, up at Rail alley,
and was rewarded with good looks (and some random chattering) by a
virgina rail. she may have pictures later. she also had the usual
suspects, both a harrier and a red-tail hawk, two ravens who were
tormenting the hawks for the fun of it, and a green-winged teal hybrid
of some sort where the green patch on the wings has turned this really
bizarre lavender (but the rest of the coloring is fine).

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