McLean County short-eared owls

[R. Given Harper]

This afternoon Angelo Capparella and I drove to look for short-eared
owls at the Saybrook Habitat Area, which consists of 5 tracts of
grassland located 4 miles north of Saybrook in eastern McLean County off
of Route 9. We saw a light-phase rough-legged hawk and a female
Cooper's Hawk on our way to the site, and an adult male northern harrier
was coursing over the largest 320 acre tract when we arrived at 3:30
p.m. The largest tract is bounded by Route 9 to the south, 3700 E (a
dirt road) along the west, 3800 E on the east and 1500 N along the
northern edge. We saw three short-ears right at sunset while we were
driving along 1500 N. We later saw them from the parking lot off of
Route 9 (a metal building sits near the lot), although the owls tended
to fly along the northern and northwest portions of the tract. Shortly
before departing we heard a great-horned owl calling in the distance.

Given Harper

[R. Given Harper]

My daughter, Noelle, and I drove to see the short-eared owls at the
Saybrook Habitat Area in eastern McLean County. Upon our arrival at 5
p.m. we saw two adult male northern harriers that stayed together as
they flew over the grassland and adjacent cornfields. From our vantage
point on 1500 N, we saw six short-ears at 5:20 p.m. coursing over the
central and northeastern sections of the 320 acre tract. Several were
vocalizing (giving raspy barks) and one flew almost directly over us.
One perched for a short while in the top of a tree along a fence row
just northeast of the tract, and on several occasions pairs of owls flew
up in the air at one another when they crossed paths.

[Wes]

Thanks to Mr. Harper for my 2nd lifer owl in 3 days. Went to above
mentioned site and it was every bit as good as advertised. Was able to
enjoy the appearance of at least 8 Short-eared Owls with Dale, Les,
Frank, Matt Winks, and Todd Bugg. Irronically, I darn near hit another
with my jeep about 5 miles west of town after it flew off a fence post
right off the road.

As I mentioned to Dale and Les, it seems a bit like cheating to let
someone else do the leg work and I get to reap the spoils but aint the
internet great.

Thanks again Mr. Harper and if someone could dig up a Northern Saw-
whet in the next couple days it would make for a heck of a week.

Wes Kolb
Normal

[Bill Morgan]

Ellen MacCannell and I drove out this afternoon to the grassland
area where the Short-eared Owls have been reported and were almost
disappointed: only at the very last light did we see one of the owls,
hunting low over the grass patch to the east of 3800. The bird was dropping
to the ground and sitting every 200 yards or so, but we never saw any signs
of a kill.

It's a lifer for both of us. Many thanks to Given, Angelo, and the
others who put us onto this spot. Neither of us had known of it before.

By the way, between 4:30 and 5:15, we also saw at least three and
possibly four Northern Harriers (all adult females) working the grass in the
main patch of restored habitat.

Good birding,

Bill Morgan