In a message dated 3/12/2007 5:39:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
 writes:

would  agree with David M. that the Morgan Run LEOW's are almost certainly  
wintering south of their breeding range, and not "setting up shop" in  
Carroll 
County.  There were Long-eared's found in winter regularly at  a Laytonsville 
(Montgomery County) tree farm up until 3-4 years ago, when  their roosting 
grove of dense spruce trees and scrub pines was plowed  under in favor of 
more cornfields, unfortunately.  As I remember, the  owls were usually gone 
by 
late March.



Mark and all,
 The year before the Laytonsville LEOWs were "evicted" by cutting down  their 
roost trees, they were seen all the way into the beginning weekend in May.  I 
was hoping to count them for the May Count that year, but then they suddenly  
left. At that point there were perhaps 6-8 birds, so not setting up breeding  
there, just late migrant winter birds. I could check my records for the year. 
I  know the year they were last there the final weekend for viewing them 
before  they cut the trees was Feb. 14 or so, Valentines Day or thereabouts. 
 
I think we learned a lot with those owls, how easily spooked they are in  
certain circumstances, how long they will remain in an area given good hunting,  
etc.
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton, MD

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