Short-eared Owl Fest - 14 Jan 2025

After photographing the Savannah Sparrow I got back into the car to warm up. As soon as I was in the car I spotted a Northern Harrier working the field inside the fence line of the Antenna Farm. Lucky for me the harrier drifted toward the road and made a pass along the fence line. Snow was falling but the bird was close enough for me to get some pics with the Sony a1 + 600mm f/4 GM OSS.

Several cars were parked along Haggerman Road but they were at the SE corner of the fence line while I was parked in the middle of the fence line farther west. Just a few minutes after 4 pm the first Short-eared Owl appeared atop the fence nearby.

It was soon joined by 3 more Short-eared Owls that began prowling the fence line and field to the east. I spent the next 30 minutes walking down the road and photographing any birds that would fly close enough to focus on.

Satisfied with my efforts I headed back to the car to head home. As I drove east another Short-eared Owl was perched on the post just east of the fence line. Several cars were parked right next to the owl and their drivers were busily photographing the bird that had been there for 20 minutes. I had to get home so I pulled between them and the bird and drove past, but the owl never moved. So I pulled over and got a few pics before continuing on.

Antenna Farm, Monroe, Michigan, US
Jan 14, 2025 3:43 PM - 4:51 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.653 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Cloudy, partly sunny, snow squalls, 19F. 3” snow on ground.
7 species

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  2
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  4
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)  4     Pics. Came out before sunset and foraging.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)  1
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)  3
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1     Feeding among 3 Tree Sparrows next to road and car. Clean breast and streaking with yellow lores. Pics.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S209312929

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)