Northern Hawk Owl

[Dinusaur]

A Northern Hawk Owl has taken up a temporary residence in Schomberg, Ontario and created a buzz that goes with any Northern bird that ventures out this far south. I took the opportunity and drove up to see this beauty for the first time. During my stay I saw it capturing 4 voles from around the marsh area. However, I didn't see it eating any, instead it was storing up the dead voles in different tree cavities and fork of tree branches. Here's a set of two photos as it was waiting on a tree for its next hunt.
1. Stern Look:


2. Anatomy of an attack. Notice how the tail is raised up just before it dives downward for capturing a vole.

[Shortsighted]

Nice find Dinu, although a reported sighting in and around Schomberg seems to me to represent a rather
vague guideline to successfully locate a single owl. I mean, there is a lot of territory around
the perimeter of a town; or did you just look out for a retinue of excited photographers or
a jam of parked cars along the side of the road. Impressive that you were even ready to snap
the very moment it quit its perch to do a little voletage.That's not really a word, is it?
Where did you hear about the Hawk Owl? Was the owl actually surrounded by precious glass
or were you on your own? Two keen predators face to face, the stern one and the cyclops.
We know which one flinched first. Anyone else hearing spaghetti western music in the background?

[Dinusaur]

Nice find Dinu, although a reported sighting in and around Schomberg seems to me to represent a rather
vague guideline to successfully locate a single owl.....

My apology for not being specific about the location. It is already published in Ontbirds listserv and is now widely known. Apparently the bird has been around this location for several week and only known to a few lucky ones. I did drive around once about two weeks ago without much of any luck of course. Then a caring soul shared the location, giving people like me an opportunity to see a not-so-common bird almost at my door step. Knowing that the readers in this forum are responsible bird watchers/photographers I am Ok to share the location info. The bird is seen on either side of Dr. Kay Drive just west of Highway 27 and behind Tim Horton's and Foodland. There's a marsh area called Dufferin Marsh where the bird is spending most of its day time entertaining hordes of on-lookers, birders, and photographers. Like Snowy Owl the Northern Hawk Owl is diurnal, meaning they hunt anytime of the day including day light hours. The bird flies low and often comes to perch on tree right beside the road to the delight of people with cell phones.

[Shortsighted]

Thank you Dinu for the detailed report. Even though I know that I cannot visit that far
from Pickering with my present duty to care I still find myself looking up Schomberg
and the little marshy area you described as if I could manage the trip in some temporary
fantasy. The person that I am caring for could never tolerate that long an excursion.
It would also be a lot of gas for me and constitute a carbon footprint that makes me
feel a little uncomfortable. You have already captured it so well that even if I managed
a meager 200mm shot of it I would still prefer looking at your picture(s).

[Ally]

wow. Thanks for the photo and info :lol:

[gary yankech]

Stunning.....lucky you!

[Paul O'Toole]

Great shots indeed. I managed to see one a few years ago near Ottawa.

[MEGHAN]

Well done Dinu!!
 it is a zoo up there but totally worth it. Beats going to Ottawa where there are a few this year. This one is too close to pass up.

[cairnstone]

I went to see the Hawk Owl a few days ago. I got it at sunrise. It was perched right along a path and seemed completely unfazed by the ten or so cameras pointed at it. The people gathered were very quiet and respectful giving the owl it's space. A good experience.

[thouc]

Does anyone know if this bird is still around?

/Thomas

[thouc]

I guess I have to answer my own question: Yes, it is still around. Got some not too great pictures.

[Ally]

I guess I have to answer my own question: Yes, it is still around. Got some not too great pictures.

I was just about to answer you, my friend went and saw it yesterday. Rainy day