March 19th Owl Prowl

[Matt]

So far it is looking good for me.

I have no problem with you bringing anyone.

[mrbirdnerd]

Would these be your same nieces that I met last year Jim ? I think that they would definitely have a good time down in Owl Woods especially if we are able to locate any Saw Whet Owls. I am also hoping that the banders will be running the hawk blind so that we could possibly be able to see their operations in action also.

Looking through the events on the bbrr.org website, it looks like we will going through the woods at the same time that Braddock Bay Raptor Reasearch will having an Owl Prowl with their newly trained volunteers.

[backpacker]

Yes Mike it's the same three girls, the youngest is crazy about Owls. The other two remember last year and looking foward to it again this year. With the gas price sky high this year I'm not sure how many trips I can make to Owl Woods.

[hobkyl]

I should be there with Jess.

[mrbirdnerd]

I'm having the same problem with supporting the gas tank, Jim. I have been scouting out, and getting permission from land owners for access to properties which are closer to my home. Hopefully I can find an area close by that I can locate some owls.

The only nice part about working swing shifts at KP is that I can head to Owl Woods in the early AM for a walk through. I think that might be the only nice thing about working a swing shift, though. Winter sure does suck though, with it being dark to and from work either shift I am on.

I have been through Owl Woods several times over the last few weeks. The new boardwalks are very nice, and the trails have been still frozen. I plan on walking through Saturday and Sunday mornings this week. I am sure that things have gotten quite wet with the warmer temperatures, and all the rain.

[mrbirdnerd]

Made it down to the woods around 6:30 AM this morning to take a walk through after getting out of work. Beautiful morning for a walk, nice that there was no rain or snow coming down while I was there. The only thing coming down as I was looking up was the melting snow from the pine branches.

This morning mine were the first set of human tracks in the fresh snow on the trails. First set of human tracks I say because all throughout the woods and down the trails were numerous animal tracks. The tracks that I spotted were raccoon, rabbit, chipmunk, red fox, and deer. Very happy that none of the tracks I spotted looked to be from bear. That would be all I needed is to be alone in the woods and spot a bear.

I was able to locate 1 Long Eared Owl just past the long curving boardwalk this morning. The Owl was very high in the tree as I approached, and the only reason I spotted it was that I heard the 1st flap of its wings and spotted it as it took to flight from the tree. If I was only looking down as I approached the tree, I would have noticed that dry branch that I stepped on and made a nice loud crunch. The Owl relocated to a tree just a few feet away, but tucked itself in so well that I had to get way to close to that tree for its comfort level. Took off to another tree just a bit further down the trail. I decided to let it settle in and get comfortable before trying to approach the tree it landed in, so I went around the trail loop looking for others.

As I was walking around the loop, I heard quite a crow commotion coming from the far side of the open field. As I approached this field, I noticed a set human prints going across the field. It's that time of year again for the crow hunters to be out, so be careful if you chose to cross this field to see what is going on. Just as I noticed the footprints, several shots were fired. I turned around and got out of the area.

I decided to just let the 1 Long Ear that I spotted get comfortable and felt that it was time for myself to head home and get some rest for work tonight.

I will probably be heading there again Sunday morning to take a walk through.

[mrbirdnerd]

Forgot to mention, you guys are hilarious with the owl and mouse costumes. I am sure that if anyone shows up for the group outing in one of those costumes, I'll be laughing my ass off way too much to be able to spot any real owls.

[Matt]

I added a poll to the first page of this topic so people can indicate if they are coming or not.