Early this Sunday (August 19), around 2 am, I heard a loud call outside, repeated every 10-20
seconds.  It went on for 10-15 minutes.  I got dressed and went outside but the calling stopped.
I went online later on Sunday, thinking that it might be a barn owl (which I had heard only from
recordings).  Sure enough, there are several good examples available, and left no doubt what the
source of the calls was.  We live in Garrett Park Estates, between White Flint Mall and the
Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station, a community built in the early 1950's.  There are lots of
mature trees and yards filled with shrubs and other plants.  Rock Creek Park is about 5 minutes
away by car.  Still, being so close to Rockville Pike, it is exciting that a Barn Owl chose to
visit our neighborhood and advertise its presence.

John Newman