Owls, Gulls and Waterfowl!

Owls are often "one day wonders" and finding one in the wild involves a lot of luck. Thanks to some noisy Chickadees who were "first on the scene," we had a chance to see a Saw-whet Owl recently, (Ontario's smallest owl species). 

Sunshiny days can provide better opportunities to find Eastern Screech Owls as they take advantage of the sun's warmth by peaking out of hiding spots.

Small rodents are good at hiding from humans and owls. Winter tracks and tunnels in the snow help us to know that the little critters are active. Excellent vision and hearing, help owls to pin point and catch mouse prey, even when under the snow!

A "Murder of Crows" helped to locate this well hidden Great Horned Owl  .

Bigger prey for a Great Horned Owl! - Probably Grey Squirrel tracks.

Glaucous Gull - The second largest gull in the world by length and wingspan, but likely the heaviest of all gulls!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Glaucous_Gull/overview

The Iceland Gull is a medium sized gull that doesn't nest in Iceland, but will visit in the winter! It picks food off the water surface, often without landing, and swallows the prey while flying.

https://binocularbase.com/bird/iceland-gull/

Long-tailed Ducks in flight: They can dive to depths up to 60 metres, spending three to four times as long underwater as they do on the surface as they hunt for food!

https://www.oakhammockmarsh.ca/wall/list-of-species/long-tailed-duck/

Harlequin Ducks typically winter along the NW coast of the Pacific Ocean and the NE Coast of the Atlantic Ocean but can also be found each winter on the Great Lakes. A male sporting his beautiful plumage has been seen near the mouth of the St. Clair River over the past few days. 

Hooded Merganser on lower Lake Huron.