For the first time in 11 lonely months, we see an EASTERN SCREECH-OWL in our nest box in northeast Ithaca. I can't prove anything, of course, but this individual bird's unfamiliar posture and demeanor give me the strong impression that it is a first-time visitor, or if a returnee, one who has undergone some profound life changes while away. Also, this owl has some red at the base of the bill, which I've never seen before. Maybe it ate something good last night. Here is a photo.
https://picasaweb.google.com/114049026073343451957/EasternScreechOwl#5711254 552328273666 Echoes of triumphant welcoming fanfare still resound through our house. I'm going to enter this owl into eBird and the GBBC (http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/), then sweep up all the confetti. Mark Chao -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
