Date: 11/12/26 6:39 pm From: Ryan Steffens <000009ae676e5a20-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: SE owls, Boone County
I have seen them on three different prairies in the Benton and Pettis
County area. All three reports are in eBird.
First time was at Paintbrush while driving by as it was getting dark.
Second time, I was checking out Ionia Ridge Conservation Area, where we
have typically found them other years, and at least one was going back and
forth across the road between the prairie and pasture and was perched on a
fence post. It is possible this owl and any others are also using Drovers
Prairie but I have not scouted from there yet. The third time, I was at
Friendly Prairie and heard them first but they had dark blue sky behind
them (audio in Merlin attached to checklist) but they luckily flew around
me and I was able to visually confirm two of them with a little bit more
light behind them.
These owls have always been a highlight species of the Cole Camp Prairies
IBA Christmas Bird Count, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec 29th this
year. It is hard to guess where the best place to be on CBC day will be,
but it's nice that we have them using multiple areas.
Ryan Steffens
Benton County
On Thu, Nov 12, 2026, 5:56 PM Jean L <
<0000067a456a8961-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Up to 7 Short-eared owls have been seen this week at MU Bradford Farm just
> west of Columbia, MO. (Permit required to access property.)
>
> Three were observed this evening; 2 were in quite the aerial battle with a
> gorgeous sunset in the background. Mostly favoring the valley SE of the big
> west lake.
>
> A merlin also present, posing on a tall stalk.
>
> Jean Leonatti
> Boone county
> <jaleonatti...>
>
>
>
>
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