short-eared owls

[cathie...@gmail.com]

We saw a short-eared owl Saturday afternoon 12/26 foraging on some blueberry fields on Appleton Ridge.

We were on Clarry Hill in Union at sunset the same day and met birders who had seen one there in recent days. Not far as the owl flies, so perhaps the same individual.

A friend saw one in Monmouth on 12/19; not as likely to be the same individual.

Is this an unusual year for them? If so, thoughts as to why?