There were three Barred Owls reported in the Central Park today. This one looked to be enjoying the morning sun when I arrived. This Barred Owl amazes me in that it has been roosting in plain sight in one of the busiest sections of the park. Thousands of people walk by this owl every hour. Sadly, few people notice it.
On Friday was there was a Barred Owl out in the open just west of the Wildflower Meadow.
On Friday, there was a Northern Saw-whet Owl just south of the Recreation Center in the north end of the park. The two photos of the alarmed bird are when crows and a Red-tailed Hawk were nearby. We’ve really been blessed this fall with a great number of owls.
The Barred Owl that has been in Sheep Meadow was relocated today by Karen Evans. It was a bit further south then it had been. It took me a bit of time to find it on my own, and just a few minutes after I did, it moved to another tree after an encounter with a Gray Squirrel. I’m glad it’s sticking around.
I wanted to watch an owl by myself tonight and I got my wish. Except for two small groups of owl watchers who stayed for only a few minutes, I had the Sheep Meadow owl all to myself tonight. It was high up in one of the Red Oaks and flew around the roost tree and adjacent trees to about five different perches before I lost it. This was one of four (maybe five) Barred Owls located in the park today.
The neighbors haven’t been very welcoming to the Great Horned Owl. This morning two Red-tailed Hawks forced it to find a new roost and while I visited it in the afternoon it was mobbed by crows. Hopefully, it will stay and have an easier time in coming days.
