Tag: Long-eared Owl

Late this afternoon It was overcast with mixed snow/rain falling, but I still wanted to get out and check for one of our winter visitors that had been spotted in the Boundary Bay area. Not long after arriving,

… I was delighted to find this Long-eared Owl roosting in the open. More often than not, they will be tucked away a little more than this. While this one continued to snooze, I carried on checking the trail as more than one had initially been reported. Not finding any others,

… I returned to the Long-eared Owl before it got too dark.

Luck was on my side when I did so as something got its attention behind me over the marsh and I managed a couple of shots with its eyes open.

On my way home from a family get together there was a bright spot on the horizon over the bay area. With an hour or two of daylight left I made my way out to Boundary Bay to try for the Palm Warbler again. On arriving, however, the bright spot was in fact some distance off on the horizon and it was still fairly gloomy with a light drizzle. Not long into my walk a couple of fellow birders were kind enough to point one of the Long-eared Owls that have been present for several days now.

Long-eared Owls can tuck themselves away pretty good in the brambles at times to keep out of sight. This one was relatively out in the open with only a couple of branches in the way. Then another birder came along advising he had just seen not one, but three Palm Warblers by the pump house. He also mentioned not having spotted the American Tree Sparrows I found the other day. I made my way east along the dyke meeting up with still more birders, but no Palm Warblers. The other hot topic right now is the Cave Swallow at Iona. Hopefully I can get out there tomorrow to try for it.