After Jeremiah posted that he had seen a Barred
Owl in Interlaken Park, he was kind enough to give
directions and this morning in brilliant sunshine,
Sir Hoot (his nickname) put on quite the show.
Within moments of my arriving I heard Crows and a
Steller's Jay putting up quite a squawk. They led
me quickly to the Owl perched tightly but visibly
in one of the Cedar trees. Then the aerial
display began with the crows chasing the owl and
vice versa in beautiful flights around the
forest. The owl would perch again and then
perhaps crawl hop onto higher branches before off
they went again. This continued for at least 15
minutes off and on. There were a number of
"regulars" along the trail, hikers, walkers and
runners and all were interested in and familiar
with the owl but most had never seen it fly. They
joined me in my delight in watching. I did not
spend much more time looking at the other birds in
the area although it was pretty birdy. Both Black
Capped and Chestnut Backed Chickadees, Dark Eyed
Juncoes, Brown Creeper, Red Breasted Nuthatch,
Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Robins, Song
Sparrows and Goldfinches were easy finds along
with the Jays, Crows and Sir Hoot. Thank you
Jeremiah!!