I just had to let the world know about the great evening I just had.
I just got back from Airport Rd. in Logan, where I saw up to 14 Short-eared Owls!
I got out there at about 7:30 pm tonight, and saw the usual species, Kingbirds, Swainsons and Red-tailed hawks, Northern Harrier, White-faced Ibises, etc.
On the way back down the road at about 8:30 I saw 2 short-eareds chasing each other and zooming over the top of the fields. I then saw another 4 owls sitting on a fence and around the ground. I got some video of the owls soaring through the skies. I then drove about 100 feet and scared up at least 5 owls that were along the side of the road. I turned the car off and sat there and watched them as they swooped over the car, hovering at moments looking down on me!
I tried to get some photos and was fortunate to get a decent one, which I have attached to this email.
As I was looking over to my right at another 3 owls further down the road, I turned back to my left and there I was face-to-face with an owl that was just hovering outside of the drivers side window, which was rolled down. Pretty Exciting!
I got out of the car (slowly!) and watched as about 2-3 owls at a time circled me and hovered just above my head. I swear I could have reached out and touched them, they were so close.
Needless to say, this was one of the greatest birding experiences I have ever had.
I have been going out to this location for some time now, and every time I go I see something very interesting.
If you need some short-eared action I would highly suggest getting out to this spot. Best time to go is about an hour and a half before sunset. That gives you plenty of time to drive down the short dead end road, watching Hawks and then turning around at dusk when you should see some Owls.
Stephen Peterson
Logan, UT