[Ontbirds] Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike (?), but not Norther Hawk Owl, Stoney Creek. 3/10/08

[Alan Meijer]

Hi.  Grew up in Grimsby. Living in North Carolina.  Was in town for a
snowstorm and a wedding.  Hoping to find this N. Hawk Owl you have all
been seeing.  On Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th, I was able to
take a little time to look for the owl but did NOT find it. (I spent
my time west of the 10th rd east, all the way to the woodlot on the
south side of the tracks).  I'm scared to read the ontbirds list to
see if anyone else has.

On the way back to the car, I DID see a SHRIKE in the top of the
tallest tree, on the north side of the track, the first trees you come
to when leaving 10th rd and heading west.  I have never seen a
Northern Shrike, but felt that this one was.  Two photos of the bird
are on my blog: http://alansbirds.blogspot.com/.  I'd appreciate any
comments.  When the bird flew, it maintained an altitude of
approximately 35-45' and made a slightly undulating flight across the
fields.

Then on the way back to Grimsby, a male NORTHERN HARRIER flew over the
car.  I'm not sure if any harriers had been noted at Beamer yet this
year, so I thought I'd mention it.

-- 
Alan Meijer
Pantego, NC