I spent some time this evening on Hart Rd., town of Dryden, hoping for an owl or two. Shortly after 1700, I saw an EARED OWL flying towards Hart Rd. from the east (direction of high school). It was relatively high up and showed the somewhat irregular, floppy flight that I've seen in short-ears. The light was dim however, and it then veered off to the south and crossed the valley. I did not notice conspicuous light patches on the wing undersides, and the underneath was quite dark. I am not at all familiar with long-eared owls, but thought this owl might have come from a conifer roost in the direction from which it appeared. Further study may be needed.
Steve Fast Brooktondale _____ From: bounce-7535674-9286...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-7535674-9286...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Kevin J. McGowan Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 7:36 PM To: cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Lansing Short-eared Owls I took the long way home this evening and looked for Short-eared Owls in a couple of spots more or less on the way home. I had brief views of one owl far out in the fields south of Burdick Hill Road (along with dozens and dozens of deer). I had better looks at another owl at the airport. I was looking south from Snyder Rd and the owl was hunting over the west and south side of the scrubby vegetation in the middle of the open area north of the terminal. It's been years since I have seen Short-eared Owls at the airport, but it's still wonderful habitat and they've probably been there. Kevin -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --