Western Screech-Owl #602

So this is how a story in bird watching goes. One of the hardest species of birds to see are owls. Why?  Well, there's not that many of them, only come out at night, stay up in trees all day, more often heard not seen, you know . . . they are wise owls after all. So when to plan to search for a life bird owl, and you only have limited time and a place to bird during a trip. You think how can I see an owl?

So thanks to ebird.org and reports of local birders, a spot was reported and pictured of this new lifer owl for me. Blackberry Farms Park, at dusk, and pictured in a hole in a sycamore tree at this park. So a plan was made to visit that park while in California. We stopped by on Friday night at the park, and find it to be a community pool area and back end of a golf course. There is a parking lot, we get out and look around, and I see a guy in a Brown shirt, riding a golf cart, towards the entrance area. I know from birding, to always ask a person with a Brown shirt or hat on for/about birds. They will help! Sure enough, he says "yes, the owl is in this tree, and comes out at 8pm pst. Great!! We know the place, see you Sunday night mister owl.

Sure enough, Sunday night, after the boat trip Saturday, and 11 hours birding Sunday around, we get to set up shop at 7pm and wait.

And we wait some more . . .

And then at 8 p.m., just like clock work.

Western Screech-owl ABA lifer #602

These compact owls—not much taller than a standard pair of binoculars—hunt in woods and deserts of western North America, where their wide-ranging diet includes everything from worms and crayfish to rats and bats. Found in urban parks and residential areas as well as wilder places, Western Screech-Owls nest in tree cavities, and will readily take to backyard nest boxes.

They are superbly camouflaged birds with a base color that can be grayish, brownish, or reddish-brown (rufous). The face is pale, outlined with dark arcs. The eyes are yellow.

Next up: West coast pelagic with Debbie Shearwater