On Saturday, I made a trip up to Killdeer Plains, determined to see one of
my Ohio nemesis birds, the Long-Eared Owl. On previous attempts, I was
either with a group of people or unsure of where the secondary grove was,
and I figure I have dipped on the owl about 15 times. This day I was
prepared.



I first checked the traditional owl grove and was met by a fellow coming OUT
of the grove on horseback, yelling for his dog. He departed to the
southwest. I spent about a half hour in the grove checking for owls: a
decent amount of pellets and whitewash, but no owls that I could see. Around
the end of the half hour period, the horseman's dog appeared, circling the
grove before taking off for parts unknown.



I then went for the secondary grove. I was alone and figured I would be
somewhat nonthreatening, plus I told myself once I see these guys, I don't
ever need to come back to this particular grove. So I tromped across  icy
and wet fields, managed to brachiate across the stream without getting my
feet wet, and headed to the grove. A lot more owl sign there, and after
another half-hour, voila! A group of five Long Eared Owls staring at me. I
had to wonder if part of their reputation for being disturbed by humans is
due to how cross they look.



Other items of note: The ponds are all still frozen except in spots where
the Canada Geese are keeping it open. No ducks at all. No Northern
Harriers(!). Large numbers of Robins.



Full list:



Canada Goose     173
Bald Eagle     1 (first year bird on the ice at Pond 27)
Red-tailed Hawk     10
Rough-legged Hawk     1 (light phase)
American Kestrel     2 (seemed to be a mated pair - the male flew off with a
rodent in his talons)
Mourning Dove     1
Long-eared Owl     5
Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
Downy Woodpecker     4
Northern Flicker     1
Blue Jay     8
American Crow     10
Horned Lark     2
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
American Robin     45
European Starling     not counted, pretty much everywhere
American Tree Sparrow     11
Song Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged Blackbird     50 (all males)
Eastern Meadowlark     5
Rusty Blackbird     1 (in same flock as RWBB, grackles)
Common Grackle     20 (in same flock as RWBB)



Andrew R. Sewell, MS, RPA

Principal Investigator

Historical/Industrial Archaeology

Hardlines Design Company

4608 Indianola Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43214

ph. (614)-784-8733

fax (614)-784-9336

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