The Neighbors are Talking

We have a Barred Owl in the area, and the neighbors are talking.  Or at least the last few neighbors I spoke with.  They brought up the subject of hearing "an owl" and I instantly knew which one.  That would be the one I have heard at times over the past few months.  We have a nearby pond and decent wooded buffers: enough for a pair of Barreds to get by.  That Barreds have been heard not only for months but even years is a great sign that this part of the city is not beyond hope.  What else could the neighbors have noticed?

Owlsome!

For several weeks now I have periodically been hearing Barred Owls in the neighborhood and even in our own backyard.  The immediate area does have a fair amount of tree cover so one pair of Barred Owls is always a possibility.  More importantly, it's nice to know there must be sufficient food stocks to make their presence feasible.  I know there are mice galore.  Lord knows how many I catch in the garage!  I'd even appreciate their bagging a few squirrels.  A man can dream, true?  It's a nice-to-know these fascinating predators are close by regardless what they eat!

Morning Commotion

It was a very interesting predawn here at Cary BirdCam.  What initially caught my attention was the howling of the yappy little dogs in homes adjacent to ours.  But there was another sound.  And it was the unmistakable calling of a Barred Owl.  The Owl was riled up.  And so were the dogs.  This went on for a good time.  It's also the first proof I have had that the owls have ever been on the property in the time we were here.  It has been suspected for some time.  And I have heard Barred Owls on and off in the general area for some years.  Who knows? this one may find us a congenial hunting spot.  Heavens knows there are enough mice to hunt!

In Praise of Metro Parks

I have lived in this fine city since 1990, and have been a very-frequent visitor to our first and largest metro park (Fred G Bond Park at N 35.77848 and W -78.8289.)  It measures 310 acres in size, includes a small lake, system of hiking trails, and even an active beaver pond at its east end.  I took in a walk this morning led by the semi-official naturalist at the site who maintains a fine blog on his discoveries.  In about 2.5 hours we racked up 39 species and discovered one Great Horned Owl, two Barred Owls, and an adult Bald Eagle, not to mention both area kinglets, winter Wren, Ruddy Ducks, and others.  A good deal of our birding was done, properly, by ear, and we covered a good mix of habitats.  I must confess to being dazzled by what three guys with decent skills could come up with in this urban park setting.  And that wasn't even a full morning of work.  This one day made me appreciate these metro park treasures, especially this one.  And next time I'll be a good deal more attentive to what wonders it offers!

New Year's Luck

Here's a run of surprising luck: just two days after coming across a Great Horned Owl at our nearby wildlife refuge---something I hadn't done in the past two years---I encountered the next size down.  This Barred Owl was found just across the creek separating the refuge from an adjacent municipal park.  And in both cases I must give credit to American Crows.  The gang I met Saturday (about two dozen birds) must be especially vigilant: one dozen birds picked out the Barred Owl.  But there was a difference.  GHO was not bothered by the crows.  BO was, and was desperately harassed, moving frequently but unable to evade the "bikers".  Well, that does go on in the wild.  But my fortune in two such encounters separated by a mere 46 hours is exceedingly unusual.  Call it New Years Luck!  I hope it keeps up...