Prior to 10a.m. a Barred Owl had been sitting low for a very long time very near the north pathway bird feeder. All this while the songbirds "appeared" very skittish, hesitating to come to feed. The Red-bellied Woodpecker has become a regular on the tree with the suet feeder-- one never knows when the bird will elect to show, but---.
I did not see a Great Gray in the fields or along any of the N-S roads nearby. I wish to comment on Arlene's wonderful photos of the N.Hawk Owl near Welcome. She noted clearly that the bird had its "normal" composure until several people got out of their car on the opposite side of the road from the pole, and walked to the base of the pole-- the bird immediately looked down and quickly took on its contracted state. Arlene sent the photos out of genuine good feeling, to share with others, reporting only what she saw. She was not aware of any threat from elsewhere; this does not mean there wasn't any. It is only natural to think (NOT CONCLUDE) that the state taken on was caused by what I say above. Doug Lockrey, Whitby
