Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 22:08:20 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Fred Shaffer Subject: Short-eared Owl I went to Blackwater NWR today with my brother and two boys. For the most part, we birded from the car on this frigid day. Highlights for me were the many Eastern Bluebirds, good views of a Pine Warbler, several Mrytle Warblers, a huge flock of Snow Geese, equally large numbers of Canada Geese, and smaller numbers of Tundra Swans. A short walk through the woods turned up a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, and several Killdeer walking on the ice. Most of the water was frozen. A small flock of Meadowlarks was in a field near the visitor's center. Harriers (1 adult male, and several juveniles & females) were about, plus several adult Bald Eagles. White Throated Sparrows were everywhere. Afterwards, we finished the day by going down Shorters Wharf Road. We got there a little before 4 and quickly found 1 Short-eared Owl hunting over the marsh. We got great looks at the owl (a male) both in flight and for long periods on a perch. At one point, the Short-eared Owl repeatedly pounced on and harassed a harrier that came nearby. We watched the owl over the marsh for about an hour. Fred Shaffer Patuxent MOS fshaffer@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================