Downsview park is the perfect winter habitat for Long and Short-eared Owls. These unusual birds prefer expansive open fields, grasslands or marshes. The Long-ears are mostly nocturnal while the Short-ears are often seen in daylight.
Both focus their diet almost entirely on small rodents, especially voles, which often compose most of their diet. They also hunt various small mammals, small birds, small snakes, lizards, and insects.
We were thrilled to see three Long-eared Owls and one Short-eared this morning.
Other birds:
Park scenes:
Some botany:
This morning’s group in -14 degree weather:
NATURE POETRY
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding cake. – Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94)
Miles Hearn
Beautiful photos of the owls and of the brave band of bird watchers!
Loved the bull thistle picture!
A red-tailed hawk flew so close to my balcony
To show me dark belly bands (according to my Peterson)?.
Beautiful day for a walk in the park.
Too late for me to register in another class,
But happy just accessing such beautiful photos
And website for my registration fee.
Arlette
( aka Dr.Froggie)
Wish I were able to join you in person.
Oh, how absolutely wonderful! (Even if they are eating cute little critters–we all have to eat!) I also wish I was able to join you in person!
Great to see it here!