[SBB] owls
- Subject: [SBB] owls
- From: michael mammoser <[[email protected]]>
- Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 00:32:49 -0800 (PST)
- Delivery-date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 03:34:05 -0500
- Envelope-to: [[email protected]]
I led an owl walk into Montebello OSP on Saturday night, 3 Mar 07, taking with me Steve and Debbie Thompson, Mike Sanchez, Karen DeMello, Kay Partelow, and Debbie Brusco. We hiked in as the sun set, heading off down the Canyon Trail. When we arrived at the top of the steep downhill before the connector trail that leads across Stevens Creek, we were treated to a duet between a pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS. One of our group spotted an owl sitting low in a tree uphill from us and we were able to obtain distant views.
Continuing down the Canyon Trail, we came to the end of the overlook area just prior to reaching the Indian Creek Trail. This is traditionally a good location for Northern PygmyOwl, but try as I might I couldnt whistle one up. However, I got a quick response here from WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS. In fact, we had 3 of them calling from the oaks around us. After a little positioning under the canopy, I was able to get 2 of these birds in the spotlight and everyone was able to get excellent prolonged looks at these birds through their binoculars.
After this success, we headed back to the connector trail that leads down to the creek and worked our way into the douglas fir. We tried 3
different spots along this trail before getting a response from a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL. We eventually had this bird calling rather incessantly around us, but had a tough time finding it. Finally, I got the spotlight on it as it sat on an open perch above us, where it gave us 3 to 4 minutes of unobstructed viewing.
Most of the owling trips I go on involve just hearing birds, as there are usually other birds to see and places to go. So its not typical for me to get such exceptional looks at these small owls. Quite a nice outing.
Michael Mammoser
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