A follow up to my previous post, and many thanks to bringing this up, Diana.
I am aware that the Short-eared Owl viewing situation at Nations Road in Avon, NY is nothing short of a 3-ring circus at times. (And probably other places too) Some of the human activity has perhaps become disturbing to the owls. I haven't been there, so I'm unaware of what it's been like first hand, but I can imagine. Considering the well-being of the wild animal you're trying to enjoy or photograph, is paramount to me. Many of these seasonally exciting birds, like the Short-ear and Snowy Owls, have traveled far distances and may be weak, hungry, and exhausted. Please respect the space needed by these birds to roost and hunt. Disturbing them during either could very well lead to their death. Maybe not because one person flushed one, but if many people are visiting and getting out of cars, talking loudly, walking around, and maybe getting too clsoe, you can see how it can quickly get out of hand. The locations I mentioned are, by their nature, not that accessible unless you are dedicated to tromp through FEET of snow to get closer to the hunting grounds. There are great viewing opportunities from the roads or parking lots, depending on where you go. Some will suggest staying in your car, and I don't disagree. If you do want to get out to get a better view or angle, use your car as a blind. There were 15 of us last night, and we kept the cars between us and the field where the owl was hunting. There was no indication that we were disturbing the owl as it was actively hunting, and coming close and moving away equally as it was perusing the field. I read or heard a good thing to remember: Don't sacrifice the well-being of the animal by approaching for a better look, just because you don't have the gear to get those good views. Invest in binoculars, a scope, a lens, and you will have great opportunity to watch these birds with out getting too close. I'll end with this link for more information regarding ethical birding/photography. This comes from Braddock Bay Raptor Research in Greece, NY: https://bbrr.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/owl-trail-rules.pdf -- Alyssa Johnson Environmental Educator 315.365.3588 Montezuma Audubon Center PO Box 187 2295 State Route 89 Savannah, NY 13146 Montezuma.audubon.org Pronouns: She, Her, Hers From: Diana Green <dgree...@twcny.rr.com> Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2021 11:00 AM To: Johnson, Alyssa <alyssa.john...@audubon.org> Subject: RE: [oneidabirds-l] Short-eared Owls in Montezuma Wetlands Complex Dear Alyssa, Thanks for this wonderful information. Some people are saying that the SEOWs (snowy owls I'm assuming) are being adversely affected by the commotion of many people & photographers. Should we be aware of this & what precautions do you recommend? From: bounce-125403319-88442...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-125403319-88442...@list.cornell.edu> [mailto:bounce-125403319-88442...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Johnson, Alyssa Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2021 10:47 AM To: Cayuga Birds <Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu<mailto:Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu>>; geneseebird...@geneseo.edu<mailto:geneseebird...@geneseo.edu>; oneidabird...@cornell.edu<mailto:oneidabird...@cornell.edu> Subject: [oneidabirds-l] Short-eared Owls in Montezuma Wetlands Complex Hi all, Just wanted to share a few spots where SEOW viewing is possible. Last night about 5:30, I drove through the "Route 31 Muck Flats" and on the eastern half, before you go over the Seneca River bridge I saw two flying high together. They were fighting or playing, not sure because I was driving and couldn't stop there. But they were definitely SEOWs and interacting. A friend of mine drove through that same spot an hour prior and said she had great views of them as she was driving, and even one landing and sitting in a tree right along 31. >From there, I was headed to West Loop Rd/CR 38 in Montezuma. Once you go over >the bridge (on 31) look for W. Loop Rd on your left, turn up there. In 2018-19 >(I believe) the DEC and Ducks Unlimited were working on a big project at the >flood plain there right between West Loop Rd and the Seneca River. That's a >seasonally flooded area, and gets quite wet in the spring. Last year record >numbers of Northern Pintails were counted there in March during the peak of >the waterfowl migration. At this time of year though, it's a frozen >grassland/wetland and has been a regular viewing area for SEOWs and Northern >Harriers. They are repeatedly being documented during the Winter Raptor Survey >the DEC conducts. I wanted to see if I could find them there, and as I was >driving up, I saw one immediately. There is a little gravel pull off similar >to the one on East Road, but it hasn't been plowed. There are quite a few >houses on the east side of the road, but on the west side, that gives the >better viewing, there are not. It's a pretty quiet road, especially at SEOW >time of day (after 4pm). Just be careful as there are not great shoulders to >pull off, with all this snow! Please be cognizant of not blocking driveways, >we don't want to wear out our welcome. I plan on speaking with homeowners >along there when given the opportunity and share with them what we're looking >at! We got to watch it hunting in the snow until it was too dark to see. It >gave us great views flying back and forth, getting fairly close a few times, >and diving for prey. Here's a map: https://goo.gl/maps/1dHfjU47ViK11TVRA I >will definitely return with a tour group to share these owls with them. Also, I haven't personally seen owls here recently, but they are also being seen from Carncross Road (The seasonal part of the road IS NOT PLOWED, I highly advise to not drive down towards the Island, YOU WILL GET STUCK). And also from Morgan Road at the end where the DEC offices are. Earlier in the afternoon, I checked the Reese/Seyboult Rd gas well Snowy Owl spot, and did not see an owl. I very briefly pulled into the Finger Lakes Regional Airport, hoping to ask an employee for intel, but no one was around. I was leading a tour, so time was of the essence, I didn't have time to spend a ton of time there and scope. The snow banks were high, so it's hard to see in the fences there at the terminal building. I did not drive the block around the airport and look either. We did have some great views of Horned Larks there in the snow by the driveway! All in all, great trip. The antics of the SEOWs really made the day! Stay warm! Alyssa -- Alyssa Johnson Environmental Educator 315.365.3588 Montezuma Audubon Center PO Box 187 2295 State Route 89 Savannah, NY 13146 Montezuma.audubon.org Pronouns: She, Her, Hers -- New postings to the entire list: oneidabi...@cornell.edu<mailto:oneidabi...@cornell.edu> Subscription configuration instructions: https://it.cornell.edu/lyris/basic-e-list-member-tasks Contact listowner: owner-oneidabird...@cornell.edu<mailto:owner-oneidabird...@cornell.edu> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/oneidabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html -- 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/ --
