Urban Hawks

I retrieved the Northern Saw-whet Owl pellet on Sunday and examined the contents.  It contained a mouse skull, bones and fur.  I felt like I was back in my middle school earth science class!

Central Park had two Barred Owls today.  I got to see both.  We’re having a great fall for Northern Saw-whet and Barred Owls this year.  There is speculation that strong westerly and northwesterly winds may have pushed many owls to the east coast.  Whatever the cause, I’m happy for the abundance. 

The one that I think is a new arrival, flew out to an open branch and vocalized briefly this evening.

I didn’t arrive in time, but a mob of American Crows forced the Ramble’s Barred Owl to move today.  I was spending most of my time with the Saw-whet, but did enjoy a bit of time with the Barred Owl.

Another Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in Central Park and I enjoyed watching it on Sunday afternoon.  It gave us great looks and coughed up a pellet about an hour before fly out.

The Barred Owl continued to give great looks and put on a show at fly out.  This evening it made a brief hoot and flew into an open tree giving us an unobstructed view.  It really is a wonderful bird and everyone is thrilled that it’s stayed in the park so long.

I got to the Ramble Barred Owl after fly out this evening.  Luckily, that ended up to my benefit.  It went after a squirrel and then flew to a tree near the summer house.  It also gave a few hoots, which were fantastic even if I didn’t get a recording.  This owl has previously been very quiet after fly out.