Barbara T
11-05-2010, 04:21 PM
While I was spending time rocking my grandson this morning, I was reminded how an unexpected and extremely exciting yard bird can show up at any time. The local American Crows had been more active than usual around my yard early in the morning. Suddenly, total chaos and raucous calls irrupted and the chase was on. At first, I thought the object of their ire was the local Red-tailed Hawk. The bird in question circled directly overhead at my back window. NO PATAGIAL MARKS ON LEADING EDGE OF WING! THIS BIRD HAD MY ATTENTION!!! Grandson and all was out of the chair in a heartbeat!
Focusing on every detail...flight pattern, not a hawk, too heavy and laborious on the wingbeats. Mostly white below, light brown to slightly reddish above, short tail, all white underneath...the bird made another pass right above us. YES!!! White, heart shaped, disked face!!! A BARN OWL!!!!
This was only the second time I had ever seen one in my yard in 15 years of keeping bird records. The first was potentially a bird that had been released by the local owner of a feed store. He raised 3 birds in the mid 90s that had tragically lost their mother. I think I saw one of them flying over the cow pasture behind my house on Oct. 29, 1995. Ironically, today's bird was almost to the exact date.
Imagine my surprise and pleasure 15 years later to have yet another yard record for Barn Owl.
Barbara T
Colleyville, TX
Focusing on every detail...flight pattern, not a hawk, too heavy and laborious on the wingbeats. Mostly white below, light brown to slightly reddish above, short tail, all white underneath...the bird made another pass right above us. YES!!! White, heart shaped, disked face!!! A BARN OWL!!!!
This was only the second time I had ever seen one in my yard in 15 years of keeping bird records. The first was potentially a bird that had been released by the local owner of a feed store. He raised 3 birds in the mid 90s that had tragically lost their mother. I think I saw one of them flying over the cow pasture behind my house on Oct. 29, 1995. Ironically, today's bird was almost to the exact date.
Imagine my surprise and pleasure 15 years later to have yet another yard record for Barn Owl.
Barbara T
Colleyville, TX