Hi Tweeters,
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OK, I admit, I am new to this.? I have been reading the digests here for a couple months now.
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I have been studying to be a naturalist for about 4-5 months now.? So, as a naturalist?I don't have a life list, I am more interested in knowing the habits and language of birds than in acquiring a new species though I do like learning and identifying new species too.? I had a Townsend's Warbler that I was photographing for the first time so I could identify it?come and land on my hat!? How's that for an introduction???
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Every day for the past few months I have been out in the woods.? In all weather and at all times of day.? I have heard?Great Horned Owls, Northern Pygmy Owls and Screech?Owls and identified each by their unique sounds.? ?There are a lot of owls in these local woods.? I have mostly heard the calls at night though quite a few times I have heard the Great Horned Owls during the day.? I have heard the GHO call in response to my cough - sort of like a shock gobble from a turkey...?? I have seen a GHO fly by at late dusk.? He was calling back and forth to a mate and they seemed to be at opposite sides of a pond and then he flew across to his friend.
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I have never been able to spot one during the day in a roost and I would like to.? Is this very hard to do - even in an area with lots of owls?? I notice that the pictures you all share seem to show owls in conifers so I focus my search there.? How high up do they tend to roost?? 20 feet, 70 feet?? Are they near a pond, on an edge by a field or just random...?? I would appreciate any pointers you experts might be able to provide to me.
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Thanks - Paul