Re: Great Horned Owl nest at Mason Neck

Howard Youth (hmyouth@erols.com)
Sat, 06 Feb 1999 23:35:33 -0500 

As Susan Heath noted, a nesting great horned owl was found in an oak at the
Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center this a.m. I stumbled upon it while
shadowing a scolding flock of crows. I did not see the bird from the
parking lot, but as I slowly proceeded around back, I saw a stick nest and
a shocked great horned owl--which bolted when it saw me. I felt horrible
for having scared it, and feared that I might have compromised the health
of the bird's young. 

I was in the area to volunteer for a heron nest survey at the refuge. After
the survey, I showed two fellow surveyers. One of them showed the owl to
Susan's class. I hate to be a downer, but I would be lying if I didn't feel
regret that so many people learned about the bird. While it's true that the
bird chose to nest facing a parking lot, I hope no one makes the same
mistake I did this a.m. by walking around the tree and flushing the bird.
While this may seem a great opportunity to see a wily bird, please remember
above all else the bird's vulnerability. And although it's in a highly
public place, think twice about who, and how many people, you direct to the
nest. Birders are generally extremely responsible people. But they are also
people. There's a reason Claudia Wilds chose not to report owls on the
Voice years ago, and why the policy still sticks.

Bubonically yours,

Howard Youth
hmyouth@erols.com
Rockville, MD 

It's undoubtedly At 09:14 PM 2/6/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Ospreyers,
>
>Allow me to introduce myself.  I just joined the list after reading all
>your great reports for several months.  I'm lucky enough to be a full
>time student right now working on my master's in Environmental Science
>at George Mason. I'm hoping to focus on avian repopulation of recreated
>wetlands.  Any and all advice is welcome!
>
>My ornithology class had a field trip today at Mason Neck and
>surrounding areas.  I'll post a full report later if I have time, but
>there was one find which I'm going to specifically share.  A trio of 3
>birders (didn't get their names) pointed out a Great Horned Owl
>apparently sitting on a nest across the drive from the visitor's center
>at Mason Neck.  As you are driving towards the visitor's center right
>before the drive turns into a circle, there is a large white (I think)
>oak on the right side.  The trunk makes separates into 3 about 10 feet
>from the ground or so.  Follow the middle trunk up until it makes a V.
>If you are lucky you will see two large eyes of a female Great Horned
>Owl staring back at you.
>
>Please do not harass this bird in any way as it is making more Great
>Horned Owls for us to enjoy!
>
>Good birding....
>
>Sue
>--
>Susan Heath
>Centreville, VA
>sheath@erols.com
>
>
>