The recent thread on separating Long-eared from Short-eared Owls was full
of good and useful observations, especially the cautions of Russell Rogers
about not jumping to conclusions based on range, daytime vs. nighttime
activity, etc. This gives me the opportunity to plug a great new book I
just received a copy of: The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe
and the Western Palearctic, by Mark Beaman and Steve Madge. The subtle
field marks that permit differentiation of these two species -- given a
real good look, that is -- are well and carefully described, and Hilary
Burns's plate showing both species in flight is informative (and sobering).
The book looks like an oversize, ten-pound field guide (does not fit into
the normal pocket). But it should find its way onto the reference shelf of
every serious North American birder.

Hal Opperman
Medina, WA
halop at accessone.com