We were fortunate this morning to have a Short-eared Owl fly just over our heads and then out over Lake Ontario perhaps as part of migration. As light rain was falling, I did not have my camera prepared. The photos are from various on-line sources.

When milk was still sold in quart bottles, I heard this owl described as the “flying milk bottle” because of its rounded head and whitish colouration.

Short-eared Owls are rare to locally uncommon and fly low over expansive open fields, grasslands and marshes. As suggested by their wide global distribution, Short-eared Owls can travel long distances over vast expanses of ocean. Witnesses have reported seeing these owls descending on ships hundreds of miles from land.

Other birds:

Bird species list: common loon, Canada goose, mallard, red-breasted merganser, ring-billed gull, red-tailed hawk, short-eared owl, northern flicker, hairy woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, red-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, American robin, ruby-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, European starling, house sparrow, red-winged blackbird, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, white-throated sparrow, song sparrow. (24 species)

Park scenes:

Some botany:

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Now by great marshes wrapt in mist,
Or Now past some river’s mouth,
Throughout the long, still autumn day
Wild birds are flying south.                        – Wilfred Campbell (1858–1819)              

Miles Hearn