My fondness for Snowy Owls is well-documented. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to live in a corner of the continent where sightings of these nomadic raptors are an annual occurrence. I’ve spent many a winter’s day trudging about on the barrier beaches of Long Island in search of Snowies. It was through such scouting efforts that I honed my field … Read More
Snowy Owl Season: Reflections on Winter 2017-18
Bubo scandiacus is a highly evocative species. As one of the largest, most striking members of the ever popular owl family, Snowies have a special magic that drives people wild. Wherever these Arctic predators go, excitement bordering on chaos usually follows. I’ve been hooked on Snowy Owls my entire life. I spent my early childhood dragging around a beloved plush … Read More
Baby Barn Owl Banding!
This evening I was able to tag along to watch Nate McKelvie, environmental educator at the Milton Hershey School, band four juvenile Barn Owls from one of the Hershey Trust’s old barns on the north side of Hershey. This is one of two known nesting sites in the area this year. The four juveniles were between 41 and 50 days … Read More
Raptors in Northern Nicaragua
For two glorious weeks between February and March, Drew Weber and I were in northern Nicaragua completing bird surveys on shade grown coffee farms for the lovely folks over at Birds and Beans. Much of our time was spent in the department of Madriz, an area that previously was severely under-birded. Relishing in the challenge of birding unknown territory and … Read More
Things That Look Like Snowy Owls
With an apparent Snowy Owl invasion upon us this winter, the excitement over viewing such a majestic creature cannot be overstated. Snowy Owls are truly one of the natural world’s most awesome birds, and no one can fault you for being ecstatic about finding one in the Northeast, Midwest, or anywhere! Yet, regardless of location, weather conditions, or birding experience, … Read More
This Week in Birding 37
:: A new study by scientists at Environment Canada has found that more than 270 million birds are killed in Canada every year from human-related activity :: The Plain-pouched Hornbill in Malaysia is facing extinction because of logging, poaching, and being hunted as food for humans :: Mercury levels are increasing in the eggs of water birds that nest downstream from Canada’s tar sands region :: A new species … Read More
Owling in Ottawa – Part 2
After a successful morning of birding around Ottawa we drove to where we had gotten a tip about a continuing Boreal Owl. I was asked by the local birders not to say the exact location details but I would still like to share the story of what happened. We arrived a little after 1pm and began searching the area of … Read More
Short-ear time at Middle Creek WMA
During February and March Short-eared Owls can be found in large areas of tall grass, agricultural land, and marshes around Pennsylvania and much of the northern half of the country. One of the best locations in PA to see Short-eared Owls is Middle Creek WMA on the border of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Unlike other owls, where you either have … Read More
Another year of birding underway!
With the first month of the year officially behind us now, I thought I would take a look the current status of my year list. Beginning a new year is always fun – every single bird is ‘new’, it’s winter, and there are typically a bunch of winter rarities and other good birds around to chase. You never really know what the … Read More
Chasin’ on a Foggy Day
This is the second year in a row that a Pink-footed Goose has shown up in eastern Pennsylvania. Last year, I just never had a chance to chase the goose so I was really excited when another pink-foot was found this winter at Peace Valley Park in Bucks County. In addition to that bird, there are also potentially up to … Read More