Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Napper on December 14, 2007, 04:43:40 PM

Title: Early morning owl at Downsview
Post by: Napper on December 14, 2007, 04:43:40 PM

Hello

Earlier this week prior to 6:00 am  and this morning just at 7:00 am in the dark I spotted a large owl over the airfield.

It's flight characteristics are quite unique. Constant swooping, circling, high then low over the snow covered grass..

The lighting conditions just made the Owl visible , it has to be cloudy or snowing.. I was looking East into the lights along Transit rd. or the Allen.  

I think it is a Short Eared Owl..

My Vantage point is from within the Airfield...  at the North end of the South plant. You might be able to see it from Beffort rd. or one of the Bombardier parking

lots. I don't know where it would be during the day as there is only one tree at the airfield and it is usually occupied by a Red Tail Hawk.

Napper :D

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on December 14, 2007, 04:53:53 PM

Very neat find.

A shorty could sit in the field and be easily missed. I found on in Col Sam last year, and it mostly stayed on the ground between being flushed by the dogs and people. The Fisherville owls are also often on the ground.

Title: Owl and buntings
Post by: Napper on December 20, 2007, 05:21:53 PM

Hi Kin

I've spotted the owl twice this week. This morning just before 7:00 am it was resting on a mound of snow (created by clearing activities)

It then headed West towards the  train tracks and Downsview park.  It has light colouring under wing with an elbow patch. Easily seen today with the

Cloudy conditions and bright light shining towards the bird.

At lunch today I again spotted the group of Snow buntings .

Napper :D