Owls

Barred Owl

http://flickriver.com/places/United+States/Maryland/Southern+Md+Facility/in-Prince+George's/

It is the end of February and spring is around the corner. It seems like winter never really arrived this year. We had only a trace amount of snow, no ice storms, and unfortunately for my kids, no snow day! Don't get me wrong, I love when I say goodbye to my sometimes surly teenagers in the morning and can enjoy my second (or third) cup of coffee in peace and quiet. But there is something about a snow day. Our daily routine is suspended, everything outside is transformed into a snowy wonderland, and bird-watching takes on a whole new level of enjoyment for me!

I have given up on a good snowstorm this winter and am looking forward to the birds returning. Lately, it seems that some are already here, setting up their territory. I hear cardinals, robins, and yesterday I spotted a bluebird!

Eastern Bluebird

A few years ago, I bought a book for my daughter. Wesley the Owl, by Stacey O'Brien, seemed a perfect choice for her since she is interested in animals. After she finished it, she strongly encouraged me to read it. To tell you the truth,  I was reading something else, was busy and put her off. Eventually, when I needed a book to read, I picked it up. Before reading about Wesley, I didn't know much about owls.

excellent book!

This book taught me so much about owls.  Did you know that owls have excellent hearing as well as eyesight? They are silent hunters since they make almost no sound when flying, because of the way their feathers are designed. Their diet consists of mice, voles, small birds, rabbits etc. So when I read that the Wild Bird Lovers store nearby was having Mike Callahan, the current president of the Southern MD Audubon society give a talk about owls, I signed up.

I used to buy my birdseed, suet etc at the Wild Bird Center in Waldorf. A couple years ago, I noticed it was closed, and I read in our local paper that there was some sort of conflict between the owner and the corporation. I missed going there to buy my birdseed as well as chat with the Lee and his wife Dee. I loved that they had their German Shepherd roaming throughout the store. I never just went in and out quickly, but stayed to browse, chat and talk about birds.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when arriving at the store for the owl talk, that this "new" store, Dee's Wild Bird Lovers, was owned by the same couple that owned the Wild Bird Center Store. And it not new, but has been open for 2 years, as Lee Duer promptly corrected me.

I learned a lot about the 4 types of owls common in southern Md. Mike Callahan was able to make each of the sounds the Eastern Screech , Barred, Barn and Great Horned owls make. ( and it wasn't "hoot-hoot!") Many of the people attending the talk were knowledgeable birders, and listening to their questions was also a learning experience. I can't wait for March 9 when Mike Callahan is hosting an owl prowl! It begins at 7pm, location near LaPlata, Md, and to sign up click on the link below and look for the section on SMAS Field Trips 2011-2012.

 Click here for more information on the Southern Maryland Audubon Society.