Hi Ontbirders,
Today, 16 Feb about noon, Debbie Campbell and I went to see what was in the
Ste-Rose area. Between noon and 1 PM we observed two Snowy Owls. One on a
telephone pole just after Conc 20 turns off Cty Rd 8 and the second in the
fields north of Conc 20 towards Conc 19. About 2PM as we were coming back
west on Conc 20 from the Ste-Rose road, we saw an owl on a pole and pulled
over two poles further up the road past the bird. I was surprised when the
juv bird flew towards us, landed on the pole next to the car, then opened
its mouth and gave a harsh, shrill call. First time I have ever heard a
sound from a Snowy Owl. The bird gave several calls, then flew to the ground
across the road and gave some more. I wonder whether the bird associated the
stopped vehicle with people who have released mice, since I have never
before seen this sort of Snowy Owl behaviour? The original owl on the pole
was still there some two hundred meters further along Conc 20.
In between these times, we observed three large flocks of Snow Buntings and
at about 1:45 PM on Conc 17 near the Ste Rose Road we saw two small groups
of Horned Larks. Also in the general area, one Rough-legged Hawk and one
Red-tailed Hawk. Along Conc 19 west of the Ste-Rose Road we observed four
Pine Grosbeaks stop briefly in a deciduous tree by a farm house before
continuing to fly in a northerly direction.
Happy Birding,
Peter Campbell
Ottawa, Ontario
Directions: Take Highway 417 east of Ottawa to exit 58 (highway 138 to
Cornwall). Turn left (north) on Cty Rd 8 over the 417 overpass to the first
right which is Conc 20. Square search the concession roads and the Ste-Rose
Road.
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