Seven Short-eared Owls on private land in northeast Scott County today! I called the landowner two days ago to gain access because I hadn't been out there for months. He told me he had Short-eared Owls, as many as 15! I thought, what is this, some kind of cruel joke. No one has seen short-ears in Scott County for years. But the landowner has always been right about what he's seen there, so I headed out. I went yesterday but had no luck probably because I arrived at 0930. Today I went later, then at 4:15, the first owl arose followed by another and another. It was magnificent watching them glide over the prairie and wetland, occasionally barking, on his extensive property where it almost feels like wilderness. Two flew straight at me, wondering what I was, and their intense yellow eyes were quite apparent. This was one of the best Christmas gifts I've received in years!
Also saw 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 7 Ring-necked Pheasant. Yesterday I found a family of 5 Trumpeter Swans on the semi-frozen Wapsi River. Merry Christmas, Walt Zuurdeeg Davenport --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
