Hawk Owl in Stoney Creek

[Anonymous]

The Hawk Owl found yesterday was re-found today by Ian Cannell at 7:55 am. We then drove some of the roads in the area and found N. Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, N. Shrike and in 2 trees with side by side containing 143 House Finches.

Directions to the hawk Owl - Exit the QEW at Fifty Road and drive up the mountain to Ridge Road. Turn Right on Ridge Road and drive one Concession to 10th Road E. Drive down 10 th Road to the railway tracks and the bird is in this area.

 Good Luck and to quote Ron Pittaway :- "Please give tame boreal forest Owls the space to hunt. Do not pursue them paparazzi-style. They are hungry and often starving".

[Walter Sobchak]

Did you see if the bird was banded?  I suspect this might be a released bird from St. Catherines.

[Anonymous]

Didn't look

[Walter Sobchak]

I've seen some photos of the bird, it didn't have a visible band  :shock:

[Anonymous]

Why the shock  -  :shock:  -  Are you not glad that all the birders, etc. that went down there can count this bird ??

[Walter Sobchak]

The shock is because this bird is well out of it's normal range.  A rare find indeed!  

I don't know about all the rules for "Bird Counting" but I would enjoy seeing a Hawk Owl regardless, even if it was from the nearby breeding program.

[Tyler]

. So is this owl a shock...... Hell no. a pleasant surprise yes.

All Northern Owls are irruptive. They leave their 'normal range' during times of rodent crashes. This has appears to have happened in the boreal forest with the drought collapse of seed and berry crops. Ask anyone who has a cottage in central and northern ontaio. The rodents have infested many a cottage looking for any kind of food to avoid starving.  

 Like The winter finches that have irrupted out of the northern forests all the way to south carolina looking for food. These birds are well south of their ranges shown in field guides as well. But irruptions caused by over population and/or prey/food collapses are the norm here in southern Ontario

I have seen hawk owls between Guelph and Hamilton before. So another 30 min flight south is no biggie.

Now playing devils advocate. The Owl research station in Jordan station yes has Hawk Owls. But they would never release one down south away from their breeding areas. It defeats their purpose! Is it an escapee from there, Possibly  but heard 2nd hand that they have not lost a bird.

Is the Great Grey Owls that have appeared in Algonquin and Midland a shock no. Will other northern Owls be showing up in the GTA south of Hwy 7 this winter... the answer is yes.

Remember Birds move. and if you can't find food at home  they move far distances looking for it.

[BIGFRANK]

I believe I read on The Owl Foundation page that they released the Northern Hawk Owls in Thunder Bay. It would be a thrill to see either way though!

[Walter Sobchak]

I'll pick my emoticons more carefully next time.  :oops:  :cry:  :?

[mike]

I have been up to Winona the last 4 Saturdays. The last 2 I have not seen or heard the NHO. It seems as though it has moved on. Has anyone else seen the Hawk Owl in the last 2 weekends?

[Kin Lau]

How far did you go off the road? It has been as far as 1km east of the road.

[mike]

I walked both sides until the I hit the tree line. Which side would be the east side if the spot where the vehicles were parking was on your left? The right side is where I'd seen it previously. I appreciate the response. Thanks

[Kin Lau]

Sorry, my mistake, it's west.

If you're coming from the QEW, the west is to your right. There's only 1 house on this street and we've seen the Hawk Owl in the backyard, and as far back as several barns back, barely visible even with a good scope.