Saw-whets and Long Ears, Leslie Spit

[DaveD]

First Post here!

It seems that the Spit is full of owls right now.

I was there Jan 3rd and found 4 very easily. 2 SWs and 2 LEs. Ran into someone who spoke with someone who found 7 SWs and 2 LEs, probably my same 2 LEs.

[Reuven_M]

Can you PLEASE remove the exact locations ASAP, the results are not often very good when locations like this become widely known.

I personally wouldn't even report when I see owls (except great horned which are common enough not to really matter), but saying you found 2 of each on the spit is not really a problem.

Thanks.

[DaveD]

I have edited the post, but if the idea of this site is to post your sightings so that others, with interest, can go and find the bird, why not give them the best possible odds of success?

These spots are also where they were, but are not likely where they are (more than 24hrs later). Plus, everyone knows the Spit has owls. I've never looked for them in the ten years I've lived within a few km of the Spit, despite having a 40 yr history of birding, and it took me less 30 minutes to find 4 of them. I've spent longer trying to find the milk at Loblaws!

Seriously, its never my intention to risk the birds in anyway; just trying to help folks have more success and enjoy birding more. I thought that posting that info on this site was appropriate. I've removed it.

[angieinto]

Owls are a touchy subject on here. Most of us, me included, do not disclose the exact location of owls, because this board has stalkers, people who don't care about the birds, but just want to get that perfect "money shot".

Not disclosing exact locations is just a way of trying to protect the owls from these type of people.

Great find, I've only seen a Snowy and a GHO in the wild.

[Reuven_M]

Everyone knows the spit has owls, the difference is when their locations are narrowed down to the exact tree (and from my personal experience at least long-eareds often return to the same tree repeatedly).
See these ontbirds posts fro some of the problems that have been encountered with the locations of owls being completely public.
See these ontbirds post for some of the problems that have been encountered before:
http://ontbirds.ca/pipermail/birdalert_ ... 17372.html
http://www.mail-archive.com/birdalert@o ... 17321.html

Anyways, nice sightings, and sorry if my first post was a bit harsh.
Welcome to the board, and please continue to share your sightings!  

[bernie2112]

Welcome to the list David!

Posts about Owls have caused a number of problems in the past. In general, just stating the park, is good enough since, as you said, almost any birder can usually find them.

If you look around the discussion posts you will see that the discussions have become quite heated: it is a topic that people take sides on.

Anyway, I, and I mean we, appreciate your effort and, truth be told, would like to do the same - but have had problems in the past.

Get any pictures?

Cheers,

Bernie
http://www.newlight.ca
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniemonette

[Brian Bailey]

Welcome to the board Dave, and welcome to one of the sad realities of birding and the internet.  

Due to the irresponsible behavior of a very small minority, the rest of us have become very cautious about revealing the presence and location of owls.  I wouldn't have given it much thought a few years ago, but now I treat them more like the nest location of an endangered species:  shared only with a few individuals I trust to act responsibly.

BB

[Flashshooter]

Welcome to the board David.
You seem to have started with a bang. :-)
I have read Newfoundler's list of things photographers shouldn't do when photographing owls. (I will be leaving my flash in my bag)
For the inexperienced bird photographer how should one go about getting photographs of owls?
Take care,
Clive

[Sahria]

Welcome to the forum DaveD. Unfortunately the useful information you posted could be used to cause stress and harm to the birds we love, however well intentioned. It's a sad state but we have to protect the ones we cherish, even at the cost of our own enjoyment. Hopefully this didn't leave a sour taste in your mouth and you will continue to be a part of this board, as it's a great group with a lot of knowledge (and passion as you've seen )

[P1Guy]

This in a nut shell David is birder against the photographer.

Not much has change on this site since my last visit.  

Not all photographers want the "money shot", its a hobby for most and very challenging photography.

Don't sneeze around the birds while your down there you might scare the crap out of them.  :lol:

[P1Guy]

Welcome to the board David.
You seem to have started with a bang. :-)
I have read Newfoundler's list of things photographers shouldn't do when photographing owls. (I will be leaving my flash in my bag)
For the inexperienced bird photographer how should one go about getting photographs of owls?
Take care,
Clive

Using flash on birds has been debated for some time, and there is no proof that it has any effect on nocturnal birds such as owls.

http://photo.net/learn/nature/owlflash

David there have been owls on the spit for years, and although some people here would have you believe that a select few (photographers) are stressing the birds they don't seem to mention the birders that are also looking for them.

The last time I was there, birders with cameras and no real knowledge of how to approach a wild bird flush them by getting too close with small lenses and point and shoot cameras. The real nature photographers purchase very expensive lenses with longer focal lengths to get images from further away. This debate will never end unless people learn to mind thier own business. Funny how the birds continue to come back year to year when they know they will be harrssed by humans.

[Reuven_M]

It is not just photographers that harass owls, and some of the problem is just when too many people know where they are.
If the owl you see looks like the shot of a boreal that is near the top of the photo section right now (i.e. not overly concerned about your presence), then watching/ taking pictures from there shouldn't be much of a problem.
If the bird is clearly not very happy about you being there, as in staring at you with wide eyes and ready to fly, try not to stay too long, and if you do flush an owl don't try to go looking for it again.
Also, I doubt flash is a problem, but if you can avoid it that's probably a good idea.

Reuven

[danh]

I was at the Leslie Spit today, but I was turned away at the gate.  I know the Spit is officially closed weekdays, but I thought that it was not enforced?

[Kin Lau]

I was at the Leslie Spit today, but I was turned away at the gate.  I know the Spit is officially closed weekdays, but I thought that it was not enforced?

It's a working dumpsite, and also often used for movie/TV shoots etc. Apparently, the Toronto Bombsquad also uses it for disposal.

[DaveD]

Thanks for all the welcomes!

I can see the debate and I was not aware of the previous unfortunate incidents, thanks for pointing those out. What a shame.

Yes I did get some pics. No flash. Very expensive camera set up so I wasnt too close. The SWs couldnt have cared less that I was there, one of the LEs was watching me but the other one (right beside it!) didnt care.

I found the locations very poor for taking pics - too much debris in the way - but I took the shots I could get and moved on. I didnt try to relocate any of the branches and of course the owls did not move.

BTW - my father used to band SWs and Boreals, and whatever else passed through the spit and other locations (he mentioned Kennedy and the 401 as a previous hot area), 50 yrs ago. I was raised birding, took a long break and now that my daughter (8yo) has expressed a keen interest. I hope to introduce her to it and my visit to the Spit was a sort of scouting mission in anticipation of her visiting the spit too.

Pics of the Spit Owls - I didnt get any good ones but here they are. Also, found a Barred (Ajax) early Dec when my father came to visit. Pic of him too (although I was having a lens focusing issue that day).










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