Hi,
There are at least two Snowy Owls in an area just west of Farragut. The first
bird is on 230th Street, usually within a mile west of 370th Avenue. The bird
is usually on the power lines or in the fields to the south late in the
afternoons.
The other bird is located on Manti Road near the Farragut sewer lagoons. He
usually comes out near dusk and sits in the field north of the road.
There is the possibility of a third bird in the area.
On Wednesday, I observed one bird sitting in the field to the south when
another bird appeared and they had a small scuffle and headed west. Within a
few seconds, I saw a bird on the terrace to the south. I'm not sure if one
bird came back in and landed or if it was a third bird because it was almost
dark by then.
The birds are feeding on a large flock of Mallards--10,000-15,000 birds. The
Mallards come in at dusk then the owls start pursuing them. You can hear the
Mallards burst in the air and one can catch glimpses of the owls as they fly
through the flocks as the sun sets.
I have never seen the owl on Manti road during the day. It is a very nocturnal
one.
Keith Dyche
Shenandoah
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