A SNOWY Day in the Black Dirt Region

Wow! Snowy Owl in Orange County 11/26/13.
Wow! Snowy Owl in Orange County 11/26/13.

Last night I received an email posting through the Mearns Bird Club. Elizabeth McKnight had located a SNOWY OWL in the Black Dirt Region, not 15 minutes from our house! I was losing my mind last night thinking about this bird. I got up early to look for the bird before work. While I was out, it started to snow pretty good, making the task a bit more difficult. I looked for just over an hour, but I was unsuccessful in relocating the bird. Off to work I went. Just before noon I received a call from Bruce Nott. The bird had been relocated! I believe it was Curt McDermott and Scott Baldinger that found the bird. I jumped on the phone with my boss, and he was kind enough to let me go run for this bird. On my way there I called Tricia and Karen Miller to give them the heads up. I joined Bruce, Curt, John Haas, and Ajit Antony who were viewing the bird. Ken McDermott, Tricia, and Karen Miller joined us not long after that. Rob Stone, his son Anthony, and Jeff Goulding were the last to arrive. We were not disappointed as we all got really great looks at the bird. The folks who know more than I do generally agreed that it was likely a first year female. Thanks to everyone involved, this was a life bird for me and a really special one at that.

Another angle of the SNOWY OWL in flight. Black Dirt Region, Orange County NY 11/26/13.
SNOWY OWL in flight. Black Dirt Region, Orange County NY 11/26/13.
The bird seemed to be doing some hunting, taking short flights before returning to its perch.
The bird seemed to be doing some hunting, taking short flights before returning to its perch.

 

 

4 thoughts on “A SNOWY Day in the Black Dirt Region”

  1. Matt, congratulations on a great lifer! I knew you would get some good shots, mine just seemed to focus the snow. It was a great afternoon. John

  2. hello. can you give a more specific location? I’d love to see this bird, and live on 208 just north of 17….south blooming grove.
    thank you…!
    (I’m a serious birder and not a weirdo owl-hater….)
    :O]

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