Bells Lane, Nov 14, 2025

I am beginning my report with the exciting ending of our trip when we saw a Barred Owl!!! It’s a bit uncanny in that on Dec. 28, 2023, we had a Barred Owl in almost the exact location and the same scenario of a Cooper’s Hawk sounding off with its alarm call and harassing the Barred Owl. The owl stayed in one spot and moved its head now and then in response to the hawk. Back to the beginning of our day: sunny, crisp and cool, not much wind at all which provided for a great outing. There were three Canadas on the private pond and no other waterfowl. In addition to the owl and the Coop, we had N. Harrier, RT hawk, Kestrel, several Sapsuckers, Red-bellied, Downy, Flicker, both WC and WT Sparrows, Grackle, YR warbler, and others for a list of 34 species. Bill Benish got on a group of Rusty Blackbirds. As always, I thank the group of nine bird devotees who joined me and for their great ears and eyes! A delightful morning! Good birding, – Penny Warren