Rare Owl Alert

Airedale1 · 12-20-2010, 09:11 AM

Last January in Center Harbor I had the good fortune to be able to capture an image of a species of owl called the Northern Hawk Owl. This Owl created quite a buzz in the NH birding community as this was the first sighting of a Northern Hawk Owl since 1997 in NH. Birders came from all over to view this Owl and the story was carried on WMUR, NECN and the Boston Globe.

Once again this month there have been possible sightings reported in and around Moultonborough. Keep your eyes open.

This is my favorite species of Owl. They hunt in the daylight and they feed primarily on mice and voles. Their behavior is quite different from most of our native owls. For example they are very tolerant of humans and they do not allow other birds to mob or harass them. Also, they will cache their kill if they are not hungry and eat it later when they are. It derives the “hawk” part of its name from its falcon like wing shape, feather coloration and long tail.

They have unbelievable eyesight. A Northern Hawk Owl can spot a vole moving on the ground from 800 yards away. Below is one of the images I captured of the Northern Hawk Owl in Center Harbor last January.

12-20-2010, 09:11 AM	#1
Airedale1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laconia Posts: 595 Thanks: 557 Thanked 1,569 Times in 274 Posts	Rare Owl Alert Last January in Center Harbor I had the good fortune to be able to capture an image of a species of owl called the Northern Hawk Owl. This Owl created quite a buzz in the NH birding community as this was the first sighting of a Northern Hawk Owl since 1997 in NH. Birders came from all over to view this Owl and the story was carried on WMUR, NECN and the Boston Globe. Once again this month there have been possible sightings reported in and around Moultonborough. Keep your eyes open. This is my favorite species of Owl. They hunt in the daylight and they feed primarily on mice and voles. Their behavior is quite different from most of our native owls. For example they are very tolerant of humans and they do not allow other birds to mob or harass them. Also, they will cache their kill if they are not hungry and eat it later when they are. It derives the “hawk” part of its name from its falcon like wing shape, feather coloration and long tail. They have unbelievable eyesight. A Northern Hawk Owl can spot a vole moving on the ground from 800 yards away. Below is one of the images I captured of the Northern Hawk Owl in Center Harbor last January. __________________ "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson (1865-1943)

The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Airedale1 For This Useful Post:
jkjoshuatree (12-20-2010), Jonas Pilot (12-20-2010), Lakesrider (12-20-2010), Nagigator (12-20-2010), Newbiesaukee (12-20-2010), Pepper (12-21-2010)