Marie Curtis Park East Eastern Screech Owl Update

[KP]

The Eastern Screech Owl is still in the same Eastern White Pine.  I am almost positive the owl is an Eastern Screech Owl.  However, when this owl extends the neck, the owl looks like a Long Eared Owl.  If anybody lives in the area and wants to have a look, go ahead.  The Eastern Screech Owl is in the first Eastern White Pine on the left side of the trail going towards Lakeshore Boulevard.  Walk along the Etobicoke Creek Trail just past the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Etobicoke Creek.  The Eastern White Pine is beside an American Tamarack.

[ghostbear]

We went looking today, but couldn't locate it. Not sure if we're blind or if it has moved. We'll check again tomorrow and will try to help with the ID. Let us know if you find it again! Thanks for sharing your find!!
- Jill

[Dinusaur]

Same here... I was there in the morning, no luck finding it.

[KP]

Hi.  I went to go look for the Eastern Screech Owl today.  I saw a guy there who was looking at the Eastern Screech Owl.  The Eastern Screech Owl has moved into a deciduous tree to the right of the Etobicoke Creek Trail in the same area.  He said that he never would of spot the Eastern Screech Owl if it were not for another guy.  The Eastern Screech Owl was very camouflaged.  I brought my mom and dad to show them the Eastern Screech Owl.  The guy said he would post some photos of the Eastern Screech Owl.

[bird_guy]

I am the guy

I haven't been able to upload pics here that display properly, so heres a link to the eastern screech pic http://colinsphotography.com/150425-0103a.jpg

If it weren't for KP's post, i wouldnt have gone  to Marie Curtis. Another photographer was also there who had just bought a canon 400mm prime two days ago, and had never seen an owl in his life, so he was thrilled, and was the one that spotted it, after i told him that it had been reported (in a tree close to where we were) on this forum.

It was nice to see the eastern screech. It made me forget about some strange bird behaviour i had seen on Colborne road about an hour before i got to Marie Curtis. I saw a crow completely attack and kill a grackle and start ripping it apart in the middle of the road. Haven't seen behaviour like that before from crows.

[KP]

Hi bird_guy.  I am so glad that I was able to help the 2 of you out.  Your picture of the Eastern Screech Owl is awesome.  I hope other people will be able to see the Eastern Screech Owl.  On the other topic, I always thought American Crows were just scavengers.  I wonder if that American Crow you saw killed the Common Grackle out of anger or hunger.

[bird_guy]

I've seen crows visciously defend territory and harass other predators, this was definitely anger. The crow was chasing the grackle and swooped down on top of it, and managed to trap it on the ground, and flip it upside down on the middle of the road, Then it killed it and started ripping it apart, maybe it disrupted a nest or something, it was just unexpected.

[KP]

Hi again bird_guy.  It seems that American Crows are involved in a lot of conflicts with other species of birds.  I once saw a Red-Winged Black Bird flying in the air and attacking an American Crow.  I am guessing the American Crows are trying to get at the eggs or the young.  I heard the Blue Jays like to prey on the eggs and young of other species of birds too.

[ghostbear]

We went to the park around 3pm today and saw him/her! It was on one of the deciduous trees on the right hand side, about half way up the tree. KP - we can't thank you enough for spotting this little guy in the first place. It's our first sighting! We will definitely be back this week.

[KP]

Your welcome ghostbear.  I am happy I was able to help you out.

[Bird Brain]

I am the guy

Thanks for the great laugh!   :lol:

Great photo - the owl looks so relaxed.