Short Eared Owls

[cosmo3667]

As I started my walk encountered a Large Red-tailed Hawk got some nice in flights. I then set out to walk s and startled up 3 Short Eared Owls which were on the ground and I presume had a meal on the go, never saw them till they took flight. I kinda of tried to follow them around as I looked for other birds but they are super Skittish and took to the skies before I could get remotly close. I saw 3 Kestrals and few more Red-tails, couple Mourning doves, could hear some Chickadees. Judging by the tracks in the snow there is a good food supply in these hills vole tracks and tunnels noted , also saw rabbit tracks and droppings too. As I returned to my car a Kestral was hunting in the field directly behind my car and would swoop down on the field and then return to the tree to continue watching. So all in all a good day dispite not seeing the Barred owl but I'll take the sighting of 3 short eared Owls, the Red-tails and the Kestral as a good day.
Please confirm its a short earred owl granted not the best pics but close as I could get.



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[thouc]

Yes, Short-eared Owls, very nice find!

[Palo]

Great find! Congrats.

[Flyingbass]

Was this at Downsview, these shots are great!

[Napper]

Two/Three years ago I spotted  a couple of Short Eared Owl's at the Downview airport.

I only saw them in flight early morning (5:30 am till around 6:30 at this time of year) when there was snow on the ground or during a

snow event. During the day they stay on the ground and blend in.  I am surprised they aren't harrassed

by the Red tails and all of the Kestrels in the area.

As I was leaving work today just after 3:00 pm, I spotted a male Kestrel visiting one of the nest sites

side of building (DH Aircraft).

Napper