Date: 4/10/24 6:01 am From: Carole Winslow <cjwinslow94...> Subject: Clarion Co- short-eared owls, Wilson's snipe, woodcocks, no Henslow's
Last evening we went back out to a grassland area (which I won't be more specific about) to check on short-eared owls that had still been present as of 4/1. To my delight they were still in the same area of the grassland. Right after the first peent of a woodcock, the female flew up from the ground and across in front of us and landed off to the right and stayed there watching. A short while later a male joined her from just over the hill and they circled up together briefly and then flew over the ridge. It was so dark at that point I wasn't able to see again if one returned to the field. I will be anxiously watching in hopes of getting any more specific breeding evidence.
In addition to the owls, this field is full of displaying woodcocks and snipe were winnowing briefly from a wetland/pond area not far off. A mockingbird was also singing a little distance away. I listened for the first of the Henslow's sparrows but without luck. I expect them in the next couple of days though as the 12th is my early date and I see the first ones arrived in the midwest according to eBird yesterday and Monday and we are usually just a couple days behind those arrivals.
Chipping sparrows and brown thrashers have returned at home, as well as several purple finches singing now,and they normally nest on the property.
