Many thanks to Danny Poet for posting about the Short-eared Owls he found 
along Rt. 309 outside of Centreville.

The Steiner Binoculars Middle School World Series of Birding Team went 
looking for the owls after school today.  They were most excited to find one 
perched on a post by the pond at Quail Covey Farm.  This was around 4:40 pm. 
However, a farmer riding his tractor thru the field spooked the bird into 
flight.  The kids followed the owl's flight for several minutes with bins 
and the scope.

It finally disappeared behind the farm buildings at Pemberton Manor so we 
drove up the road about 1/3 mile.  The bird perched by the pond that sits 
back off the road at Pemberton Manor, possibly on an old hunting blind.  The 
sun was shining on the bird and it provided great looks, swiveling its head 
and staring at us with its wonderful eyes.

Then they found a second bird and then a third flying in the same area.  The 
level of excitement was palpable.  However, after some words of caution to 
look a bit closer, they determined that one of the birds was a Harrier, but 
one was, indeed, a second Short Eared Owl.

Again, thanks to Danny for providing a life bird for five young birders ... 
and one designated driver.

Jim Wilson
Queenstown