Short-eared Owl Camouflage
I can’t understand why the Short-eared Owl has this plumage…it’s really tough to tell from these photos! You can also see the bird did not enjoy yesterday’s late afternoon snow, sleet, rain mix. I’m glad so many people have been coming by to enjoy watching our occasional owl at Stratford Point, and most are being very kind and respectful. Please keep it up! Stay on our trails and keep your distance while letting the owl hunt and fly around. It may end up providing terrific views if you stand in place considering how active it is at certain (varying) times. Scott...
Read MoreShort-eared Owl
You have seen a lot of Snowy Owl posts from me during this terrific irruptive season, and they are still with us in early 2018. However, I was lucky enough to enjoy this Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) actively hunting yesterday afternoon at Stratford Point. The bird may have just joined us that day as it was certainly very conspicuous, and it seemed quite hungry – though it was exceptionally talented at hunting with multiple kills! Short-eared Owls are ‘endangered’ in New York and their wintering population is ‘threatened’ in Connecticut. Undisturbed grassland...
Read MoreStill Snowy
I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season thus far! Our Snowy Owl visitors continue to spend it here with us, delighting many birders who find a moment to sneak out into the field between presents…or heavy snowfall. Be safe if you are in our local area, and when you can get out, enjoy finding the winter delights like this one. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSnowy Owl Snooze
We were lucky enough to have a Snowy Owl stop by Stratford Point today for a snooze! There have been several in the surrounding Stratford/Milford area for a few weeks, though they have stopped on the property only a couple of occasions during that time. On such a beautiful day many people were out and about walking and not realizing the owl was trying to take a nap on the brush pile directly along our trail. I tried to redirect folks as I could (without trying to flush it myself by shouting over or walking down that same trail). The photos here are cropped from 500mm, and even then I was...
Read MoreSnowy Owl Flight
I took a grand total of one photo of a Snowy Owl today, and here it is! Yes, literally one shot, but it was worth it to capture a bird on a very cool location – an abandoned hangar. I am so glad everyone has been enjoying all of the Snowy action and my photos here, but these are only the pretty parts of a busy year of conservation and education. If you want to make a difference with RTPI please show it by giving us and someone you care about a gift this holiday season! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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