Short-eared Owl in Hope

[tmanson]

Fraser Valley Birders: This afternoon at 2:30 I had a new running buddy on my loop around the Hope airport; a SHORT EARED OWL. I am so used to seeing Northern Harriers here , that I almost ignored it. However, I pack my bins when I run around there, and looking through the glass, realized it was a SHORT EARED. As I stopped to look, it flew straight at me to about 15 ft, before veering away. Trying to stare down this guy which is all eyes and face is a bit unnerving. Always a treat to watch them in action with their short turn-on-a-dime dives into the grass when they sight prey.
Earlier, Kawkawkwa Lake didn't have anything unusual blow in with the storm. There was a couple of COMMON LOONS, and PIED BILLED GREBES, a very large flock of BUFFLEHEADS, some COMMON MERGANSERS, COOTS, and CANADA GEESE.
The exclusive diners at my feeders these days are JUNCOS, SONG SPARROWS, PINE SISKINS, STELLER JAYS, and CHESTNUT BACKED, AND BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEES.
Speaking of owls, don't know whether any of you saw the report that a highway crew picked up an injured SPOTTED OWL in Manning Park recently, and delivered
it to SOROC in the Okanagan. I wrote to this organization, and asked if they had any specific needs in respect to this bird. They said they would post any requests on their website.
Thinking of doing a swing up into the Nicola Valley this week, weather depending. If anyone wants to go, feel free to contact me at [e-mail]. Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Wish I could come along to the Nicola. Good luck. Look forward to hearing what you see.

Let us know if you learn anything about the spotted owl and if anything can be done to help.

Good work on the short-eared!

[tmanson]

Fellow birders: Just to let you know, the SHORT EARED OWL is still present today on or around the Hope airport. It was seen by Jack Delair, who lives in the area, and by myself, as I took a break from watching the Coqihalla River rise, and subside next to my house. So, if anyone needs this bird for a year list, or even a lifer, it seems like it is pretty regular around this spot. Today, I saw it at around a more regular time for this bird; ( 4:00 p.m. ). Cheers. thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[tmanson]

Fellow Fraser Valley Birders:
This afternoon there were FOUR SHORT EARED OWLS over the Hope airport and surrounding fields. It must be a bumper crop for voles this year!! They were seen around 3:30, but I think they must be actively hunting through the day.
I am going to have to take a mini course in how to upload pictures to this site,  using my IMac, but I had my little digital point and shoot, and one of the " gang " was kind enough to pose on a fence post, so that I was able to take a couple of pics. I will send them to Gord, and he will be able to figure out how to post these pics. Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Here are Thor's pictures of the owl. Nice cooperative bird! Great shots Thor!

[Dave]

Wow, Great shots, Thor! Did you get a new camera?

-DB

[tmanson]

Dave: Thanks, and thanks to Gord for posting the pictures. No new camera; just one of those lucky situations; in this case as I was driving around the airport perimeter, this guy was sitting on the fencepost right beside the road. He obviously didn't flush, and I had packed my little point and shoot, thinking I might have to use digiscoping to try and get a shot. Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.